Chapter 39: The Price of Lies

Bruno's silence on the phone stretched. My mind raced for anything to explain why I'd brought my parents here, but every thought disappeared the second I tried to speak.

"Bruno, I…"

"Don't lie to me, Maria." His voice was cutting, so cold it felt like it could slice through bone. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

I gripped my phone tighter. Of course, the driver must have told him; Bruno's eyes were everywhere. 

"I called them because… because I missed them," I finally said, forcing my voice into something steady. "I just wanted to see them, Bruno. I didn't mean to hide anything."

Another long silence. The weight of his distrust pressed down on me, tightening in my chest.

"You're lying, Maria." His voice was barely above a whisper. "You're lying to me, and after all I've done for you, that is something I will not tolerate."

A knot formed in my throat.

"Bruno, please…"