I returned to Claudia's house as the sun was rising. The sky was tinged with pink and orange, birds were beginning to sing, and the world was waking up to a new day.
A new day. A new life. A new Elena.
I found Claudia in the kitchen, already up and making coffee. She looked up when I entered, assessing me with experienced eyes.
"You didn't sleep."
"No." I sat down on the stool at the kitchen island. "But I made a decision."
She placed a cup of hot coffee in front of me, then sat down beside me.
"The stranger's proposal."
"Enzo Navarro." I corrected her. "And yes. I'm going to accept."
Silence. Claudia studied me for a long moment.
"Tell me everything. Without leaving anything out."
So I told her. Everything. The meeting at the restaurant, the marriage proposal, the coffee at 3 a.m., the terms of the contract, Enzo's motivations, everything.
When I finished, Claudia was pale.
"Elena... this is crazy. Marrying a man you barely know..."
"I know."
"For revenge..."
