Big Chicas Don't Cry(80)

“Does Esteban know you’re here?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips. She was an intimidating woman, especially now that she didn’t have to hide her hate for me.

“I called him when I landed. He told me to call for a car and that he would meet me here after a meeting.”

I hated that he hadn’t given me the heads-up. Although, did he even owe me one at this point?

“Fine. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”

“I knew you two wouldn’t last. You were never good enough for my son.”

“I’m sorry you felt that way, Blanca. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“Oh, but I think you did. I told Esteban after the first time I met you that you were nothing but a gold digger. I know you come from nothing. But you think my son is going to give you a beautiful life, and you tricked him into marrying you. I only thank God that you were too cold to ever give him children.”

“Mama, that’s enough.”

We both jumped as Esteban entered the bedroom.

“Mijo, I’m so glad you’re here. You see how this woman is now, yes? And now I’m here to take care of you.”

He didn’t look at me but grabbed the suitcase off the bed. “I told you on the phone that you shouldn’t have come. Go wait in my car. I’m going to take you back to the airport.”

“But Esteban! I traveled all this way. You cannot treat me like this.”

“And you cannot treat Marisol that way either. I heard what you said, Mama. Our marriage is our business, and I don’t need you in the middle of it anymore.”

She covered her mouth in shock. I nearly did the same. I had never heard Esteban talk to her like that. Ever.

When Blanca left, he finally faced me. Something was different.

“Thank you for that. I know how hard that must have been for you.”

He wouldn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he turned to face the window. That’s when I realized he couldn’t even look at me. “When I come back, I want you gone too.”

I was so surprised at what he said that I took a step back. “What? I thought we were going to both stay here until we met with the lawyers.”

“That was before I knew you were leaving me for Chris.”

My heart dropped into my stomach. “What are you talking about? I’m not leaving you for Chris.”

He spun around and faced me at last. “Then why did he come into my office this afternoon and confess that he’s been in love with you for months and that he’s sorry for hurting me like this?”

The pain etched across Esteban’s face strangled me, and I couldn’t catch a breath. What was happening? My mind raced. I had never said anything to make him think that we were going to be together.

Esteban shook his head in disgust and left the room.

I chased after him. “Seriously? You’re really just going to believe him and not even let me explain?”

He spun around, and the look he gave me chilled me to the bone. “Oh. So now you want to explain? You know, part of me thought you weren’t serious about this divorce stuff. I thought maybe, in a week or two, you’d get over whatever it was that made you announce to me, out of the blue, that you didn’t want to be married anymore. Because I honestly couldn’t think of one reason why. Now it all becomes clear.”

I reached out to grab his arm. “You have the wrong idea. I don’t know why Chris told you those things, but I swear to God that I don’t feel the same way about him. Esteban! You know me. I would never do that to you.”

He shook off my hand. “Maybe not. But I also never thought you would leave me either.”

“So, this is all my fault?”

“I’m not the one asking for a divorce.”

I knew I’d hurt him deeply. He had every right to lash out. But I still wasn’t going to take the blame for everything. Not anymore.

“There used to be two people in this marriage. If we both were happy, then this wouldn’t be happening.”

His face softened for a second, but then it was back to angry lines.

“You are free now to go find your happiness with Chris,” he snapped.

I groaned and threw up my hands. “I’m not in love with Chris! You have to believe me!”

Esteban shook his head. “See, that’s the thing, Marisol. I’ve realized that I don’t have to do anything when it comes to you anymore. Well, except get the divorce proceedings started.”

And then he walked out the front door, leaving me alone in the foyer of what was no longer my home.

I should’ve collapsed or let out a scream. But I didn’t feel a thing.

I was numb.





Chapter Forty-Nine


GRACIE


I can’t say exactly why I did what I did.

One minute I was going through my old photo albums and the next I was in my car on my way to Mari’s house.

I could’ve blamed the photo that I’d found, but that didn’t explain the sudden urge to drive to South Pasadena. Or why I didn’t just text my cousin to let her know I was on the way. Instead, I pulled into her driveway unannounced on a Saturday afternoon.

But the second Mari opened the door, I knew why God had sent me there.

Mari looked horrible.

First of all, she had no makeup on. Her hair was hidden under a white bandana, and she wore a faded T-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. She looked just as surprised to see me.