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Therese sat up A suit jacket that had been placed over her like a blanket fell off one shoulder Claudio’s scent and war her when it should do anything but in the current situation He must have found her here earlier and covered her

He turned to face her, even though she’d made no sound His face was an io back to the palace”

“I never said I would”

“You said you would leave”

“I did” She looked away fro with this new remote Claudio than she had been earlier “The hospital room”

“But not the hospital”

“No”

“Why not?”

“I wanted to be here in case so else happened”

“You knew Papa and I assu the suit coat further “I aht about by two ant belief that the rest of the world will fall in with their plans si him, Therese Do not let this bossy son of mine believe he rules you completely”

“There is no chance of that, Mamacita”

Therese was fairly certain she was the only one who heard the harsh undertone in Claudio’s voice, but to her ears it was as loud as if he’d shouted out how lad to hear it You are far tooyou control the world around you and everyone in it Life does not work that way, as I a for perhaps the first time”

“He is more than aware, I assure you,” Claudio said, his voice now subdued

“And you,that he and I are both aware how little our will carries the day”

Flavia’s face softened with concern “I am sorry, Claudio Times like this are difficult, but Vincente will be fine Believe it”

“I hope you are right”