Page 61 of Of Vows and Betrayal

“No,” I admit, looking up at the depiction of the Christ on the cross. “Do you think she was sent to my life as divine punishment? Why would I have fallen in love with the daughter of my greatest enemy otherwise?”

Tiago sighs and sits down beside me, the wooden bench creaking under his weight. “Ah, at least you admit it.”

“How can I not?” I shake my head. “Her silence is killing me, Tiago. Every moment without her feels like alifetime. She breathed life into me, and now… now I feel like I’m suffocating.”

“I don’t think she’s a revenge or a punishment. God is not like that. I think she might very well be your redemption.”

“Is…” I stop for a second. “Is everything you said about Paloma…”

“Yes, it’s true.”

I shake my head again. “The love I feel for Ophelia is different. I was a boy before; I loved in a way that was… I don’t know. With Ophelia, it’s… I’m not even sure how to say it.”

Tiago reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I know, brother.”

“Will I lose her too? Am I condemned to never know love, never be happy?”

Tiago sends me a look full of anguish, one I’ve rarely seen before, and as far as I can remember, the last time I saw a similar look was on the steps of the church when Paloma took her dying breath in my arms.

“I didn’t do it,” I admit. “The final step to destroy her father—the file I was planning to send to the Gambinos. I decided she mattered more. I burned it.”

Tiago’s eyes fill up with tears. “You know how important God is to me, how my role with the church matters.”

I am confused. “I know.”

“And if I do what I’m about to do, I’ll break one of the most important vows. One that will—” He swallows hard. “My problem is that I can’t fail you again, and I love you far more than my calling. Never doubt that.”

I start to get anxious now in front of his torn desperation. “What is it?”

“Forgive me, Father,” he whispers, the words choking in his throat. “I am about to betray the sacred trust of the confessional.”

I look at him, my heart pounding, waiting for him to come to terms with what he’s seeing as a betrayal of God.

“The Gambinos know everything about you, your plan and how you used her.” His expression is grave, his eyes filled with a mixture of pity and frustration. “Ophelia is getting married. To Dario Carmine.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless. “What? No, that’s not possible.”

Tiago looks down. “It is. She’s doing it to protect her father. Dario made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.”

I clench my fists, feeling the rage boiling within me, each heartbeat echoing like a war drum in my ears. “I won’t let this happen,” I whisper, more to myself than to Tiago. “I can’t let this happen.” My mind races, already plotting the next steps, the risks, the inevitable showdown.

“Javier,” Tiago starts, his voice breaking slightly. “I’m breaking my vows to tell you this. Ophelia came to confess, and I can’t stand by and let you suffer another heartache. But you need to be careful. Dario is a dangerous man. Going up against him could cost you everything.”

“I don’t care,” I snap, standing up. “I can’t lose her. Not like this.”

Tiago grabs my arm, forcing me to look at him. “Then you need to be smart about this. Charging in without a plan will get you killed, and it won’t save her.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.Tiago’s right. I need to think this through, and I need to find a way to save her without getting us both killed.

“I’ll find a way,” I promise, my voice steadying. “I’ll save her, no matter what it takes.”

Tiago’s grip tightens on my arm, his eyes pleading. “Promise me you’ll be careful. I can’t lose you too.”

“I promise.” My resolve’s hardening as a plan is already forming in my mind. “Thank you, Tiago. For everything.”

He nods, releasing my arm. “I’m with you, Javier. Whatever you need, I’ll help.”

As I rush out of the church, a chilling realization settles over me. I know what I need to do—the only thing I can do. I have to sell my soul to the devil himself.

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