I had finally thought I had it: Carlota’s secret, the leverage I needed, the power to finally make her pay. I had planned it perfectly. I had positioned myself in front of her. I had waited. And Gabriel was supposed to listen to me. I had rehearsed the moment a hundred times in my head.

I wanted to see what his reaction would be, and also how she was going to keep acting like she is that important when he decided to let her go. Some students were already watching us, as I thought about ...