Page 37 of Cavern of Silence
"Why is he calling you Liliana?" Hunter blurts out.
For once today, you've asked a good question, Hunter.
"It's my middle name. He's called me that since we were kids."
She's known him since they were kids. They've been together forever...like Maureen and I were.
I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but I want to punch a wall or Miguel, but I think I have better chances of living if I pick the wall.
"So, you aren't someone else?"
"Hunter!" Vanessa scolds.
"What? We don't know who she is. She's full of secrets. Maybe even lies. And where the hell are we exactly?"
"Hunter!" I've had enough of him and wish he would think before he talks. I need to get out of this room. Accusations aren't going to help this situation.
Hurt crosses Julieta's face. She quietly says, "No, I'm not someone else. And I may have secrets, but I'm not a liar."
"Are we even in Belize still?" Hunter demands.
"Yes. We're right on the line. The property backs up to Guatemala. It's why I'm not worried about crossing the border."
Hunter throws his hands in the air and barks, "Why didn't you just tell us that?"
Her face crumples. "I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know how to explain this situation. I'm used to not disclosing things so I don't get killed. I... I just—"
I don't know why I feel bad about how Hunter is treating her. I shouldn't, given the current circumstances. It should change everything about how I feel about her. She's married. She didn't disclose it to me and had plenty of chances. But every fiber of me still wants to protect her. "You don't have to apologize to him. Ignore him."
She turns to me. Her eyes glisten. "I haven't lied."
But hasn't she lied? I don't know anything anymore. My mind is a whirlwind of questions and regret. And I want all of this to be a sick joke and somehow magically return to a few minutes ago when I was in the dark about her husband, the demigod.
"No. But you haven't told me a lot, have you?"
"Please don't be upset with me," she whispers.
It's easier to focus my anger on Hunter, because looking at Julieta makes me want to pull her into my arms. I'm that big of an idiot. Her husband is in the room and I'm still drooling over her and want her as mine. So I focus my anger on Hunter.
But I can't ever have her. She's married.
I shouldn't have even contemplated it. I'm supposed to be the professional in this relationship.
Hunter, Vanessa, Julieta, and Miguel converse more, but I barely hear them.
She's married.
"It's fine," Julieta says.
"No, it's actually not fine," I state but don't realize she's responding to Hunter and not me.
"Let's drop it," Julieta says.
"Your paperwork didn't mention you were married," I quietly point out.
Her lip quivers. "It's not as straightforward as you think."
"Then why don't you fill me in?"
