26. Separation

As James packs his bags, he paces back and forth as if he wanted to grab Maxwell's neck with his own hands. Sitting on the bed, trembling and still unable to believe the worst news she could receive, Mariana simply intertwines her hands and gazes at some invisible point on the wall.

With crossed arms leaning against the bedroom doorway, Isabella's youngest son stares at the curly-haired man as if he knows his true violent intentions. Then he turns his gaze to Mariana.

"You suddenly became so quiet. What's wrong? Don't you like the moving plans?"

There is scorn and mockery in his voice. The girl looks away, as if she could ignore his presence.

"Please, leave her alone," James pleads, still finishing up Mariana's things.

"And what did I do? It was just a simple question."

As if the journalist's patience was wearing thin, which it was, James stops what he's doing, stands up, and coldly stares at Maxwell for a few seconds before speaking:

"Mariana had a recent bleeding, and we received de