“Mom…”

I wrapped my arms around her.

Her entire body shook.

Then I heard laughter behind me.

“How dramatic.”

I turned slowly.

Standing in the doorway were her husband, Alejandro Cárdenas, his mother Teresa, and his brother Ricardo.

Designer suits.

Luxury watches.

Expensive shoes.

And expressions full of arrogance.

Teresa wore a diamond necklace and smiled as if she owned the room.

“Colonel Salazar,” she said sweetly, “your daughter had an emotional episode. She fell on her own.”

Camila grabbed my sleeve.

“No, Mom. They kept me isolated. They took my phone. They said if I left, they would destroy my reputation.”

Alejandro rolled his eyes.

“She’s exaggerating. She’s always been overly sensitive.”

Ricardo laughed.

“Some people marry into families far more important than they can handle.”

I stood without releasing Camila’s hand.

Teresa stepped closer.

“Let’s not make this unpleasant. Our family has friends everywhere—courts, hospitals, newspapers. Your military rank means very little to us.”

Ricardo smirked.

“Take your daughter home and be grateful we’re not accusing her of damaging our family’s reputation.”

I looked at each of them in silence.

Calmly.

Too calmly.