The whole mansion was silent. Outside, the garden lights looked like stars fallen to earth. Inside, the marble floors gleamed under the chandeliers. Yet amid the splendor, two hearts remained perched on the edge of confusion.

One of them, Ysabel, stood before the large window of their room, holding a glass of water as she watched the darkness of the night. She didn’t know what she was waiting for. She didn’t know why her feelings felt like they were slowly drowning in the silence.

The ...