Despite the head covering.
Despite the simple dress.
Despite the visible humiliation.
He recognized her by her gaze.
Alicia held his eyes for exactly two seconds.
Then she continued walking, lowering her head only as much as necessary and without looking back.
That small, firm gesture made up his mind completely.
Two weeks later, invitations arrived for the great selection ball at Santa Aurelia. All eligible young women of the district were to attend with their families.
Doña Mercedes prepared Rebeca and Zulema obsessively.
For Alicia there was no new dress and no mention of the event.
She was assigned to clean the east wing of the house that same night—even though it had already been cleaned the week before.
Alicia learned about the ball from Abigail, a young maid incapable of lying.
“It isn’t fair,” the girl said, leaving her a cup of tea.
