Chapter 5: The Promise

Ignacio's study was at the end of the west wing, and Lorena had stood outside its door twice in a year.

The first time was the night the lights went out across the whole district.

They had found each other in the dark hallway, and neither of them had said a word about it since.

Tonight the door was open and the desk lamp was on.

He sat with a stack of reports and a pen, and he did not look up.

"Ignacio."

"Yes."

"I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday at nine. I would like you to come with me."

The pen stopped.

He raised his head slowly.

He looked at her for what felt like a long time, and the study was so quiet she heard the clock.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing I can say yet."

"Are you ill?"

"I'm fine. It's a check-up. I'd like someone there."

She had practiced the lie in the car.

She had expected him to ask which doctor, or why not her mother, or whether it could wait until after Renata.

He asked none of it.

"I'll be there," he said.

"You have the board on Thursday."

"I'll move it."

He picked up his phone, and Lorena stood in the doorway while he dialed.

"Move Thursday's board to Friday," he said. "No. I don't care what the investors say. Tell them the CEO has a family matter."

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