Mentioning Amanda's name was forbidden at La Rosa. Only when his parents and aunt couldn't hear, Diego talked about her with either his brother or Sofía. Their opinions on what had happened were very different.
Sofía had witnessed the outburst of madness that plunged Amanda into disgrace, but she thought Amanda would soon return to apologize to her mother, and everything would go back to how it was. She hoped it would be soon, before Antony returned from his trip. She didn't want her sister's bad decisions to affect her own reputation.Sebastián, on the other hand, defended Amanda's audacity and seemed to carry a huge burden on his shoulders. Nightmares haunted him, and more than once, he woke up screaming. Óscar remained very angry. He had taken all his savings and avoided speaking to him as much as possible.Catalina cried a lot, and Diego's heart ached every time he saw her. Bad luck pursued his poor aunt. Not only had she been widowed very young, but now she had to bear the shame of not knowing how to raise her daughter.María Esther supported Sofía's idea of advancing her wedding to Antony if the Englishman returned to town before Amanda to the estate. Everyone except Sebastián thought the girl would come back. What they didn't know was when she would do so. Diego speculated that it would be after the wedding of Julia Duarte, Father Facundo's sister.That Sunday, the Pérez Esnaola family headed to the church. It was their second visit since Amanda left. Óscar had warned them several times not to speak to their rebellious niece unless, of course, she apologized and agreed to live by his rules. However, what happened was very unexpected."I will give the floor to Pablo Ferreira, who has a very important announcement," said the priest, stepping aside so that Pablo could stand in front of the altar.The criollo cleared his throat before speaking."Thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time. I am pleased to inform you that you are all invited to my wedding next Sunday," he announced, pausing for the murmurs to die down."It can't be," Sofía whispered.Diego wondered who the young man would marry. Maybe Magdalena."Well, it's not fair to say it that way since it's actually a double wedding. It will be a very special day for both my good friends Dr. Máximo Medina and his fiancée Julia, and for my precious Amanda and me," he added, waiting once again for the murmurs to cease."Did he say Amanda?" Diego asked Sofía, who had her lips slightly parted and didn't respond."After the ceremony, we will have an open celebration in the square in front of the church. There will be music, a delicious banquet, and all the wine you can drink. All of you, my dear friends, are invited, and don't forget to tell those who couldn't attend today that they are welcome too," he promised with a smile, and the parishioners stood up to applaud him.Óscar also applauded because he had no choice, but Diego noticed the vein pulsing in his father's red neck. That was usually the warning sign that it was better not to be near him."I will not pay for this ridiculous wedding! My niece marrying a simple criollo and a party where the worst sort of people will attend. That boy will hear from me," Óscar muttered angrily."Of course, we won't give him a penny. He's just an opportunist. He didn't even formally ask for Amanda's hand. He's shameless," María Esther agreed."I never thought he was interested in her..." Sofía commented, more surprised than hurt.Diego was also very confused since he thought the criollo was in love with Julia Duarte or maybe Magdalena. He had even noticed certain intentions to seduce Sofía but never imagined he could be interested in starting a family with Amanda.Óscar waited until the parishioners congratulating the engaged couples had left before striding over to Pablo. Sebastián and Diego followed, but not to support him, rather to stop him if he tried to harm the criollo."If you're looking to squeeze money out of me..." Óscar began to accuse when he reached them, but Pablo interrupted him."Oh, of course not, my kind sir. I understand that my fiancée has humbly declined the benefits she was entitled to by being born into a wealthy family like yours. However, Amanda's infinite love and kindness are all I require as a dowry," Pablo explained with an exaggerated cordiality that unsettled Óscar."Are you saying you intend to renounce Amanda's dowry and inheritance? Where have you seen a man pay for his own wedding?" Óscar asked, exasperated."Amanda is worth a lot, and it would be greedy of me to ask for anything more in exchange for her heart. Besides, I never said I would be the one paying for the wedding," Pablo added."Explain yourself!" demanded Óscar, running a hand through his thick mustache."We have decided that my dear great-aunt will be the wedding godmother, and she offered to pay for everything. She was very clear in her letter, saying we shouldn't spare any expenses since I am her heir and the wedding should befit a future count," he said, emphasizing the last word with a wave of his hand.Amanda looked at her uncle Óscar with narrowed green eyes, and Sebastián smiled, amused by the situation."I am very happy to know that my beloved niece has understood she must act like a lady instead of continuing with those senseless projects of teaching the peasants to read," Óscar said, softening his tone when he realized they wouldn't ask him for money.Amanda clenched her teeth but said nothing. Diego couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed of his father. Although Óscar had always looked down on Pablo for being born in the colonies, obtaining a title of nobility would make his social position higher than his own."I'm afraid you're mistaken. As her husband, I will ensure Amanda's happiness and support her in any project that brings joy to her heart," Pablo explained, ending the conversation.The young man approached Mariano Bustamante and his sisters, who called him to congratulate him on his engagement."Maybe it's better if you return to La Rosa until the wedding. I can talk to your mother to accept you back," Óscar suggested, as if he hadn't been the main opponent to Amanda's ideas."Thanks, but it's not necessary. Still, I hope you can attend the wedding," Amanda said, trying to control her voice."Of course, dear. I'll talk to Catalina; I'm sure your mother will be very happy," Óscar added, leaving."I'm very happy for you two! You make a beautiful couple," Sebastián exclaimed sincerely, hugging his cousin."Thank you!" she said, hugging him back.Diego wasn't convinced about this marriage at all. Firstly, because Pablo was a womanizer and secondly, because Amanda would never submissively accept her husband's infidelities."Are you sure?" Diego asked once Amanda and Sebastián separated.She fixed her emerald eyes on Diego's. She seemed annoyed with him, maybe because he hadn't spoken to her since she left the estate."It's not like I have many options. Besides, Pablo is kind, and we get along," the young woman said, softening her gaze."Even though you don't love him..." Diego insisted."I know him better than Isabel knew her husband. Maybe love is overrated in marriage, and it's enough to have someone who understands you," she reflected."I don't think it's a good idea, but it's your decision," he added."Yes, it's my decision," Amanda said proudly."I curse you and your entire lineage!" someone shouted behind Diego.The young man turned just in time to see Magdalena spitting in Pablo's face. The young man wiped it off with his arm and glared at Sebastián, who laughed, pointing at him. Diego couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the girl. Now he knew it wouldn't be an easy marriage for his cousin.The Páez family and the Pérez Esnaola women approached shortly after to congratulate Amanda. Everyone seemed to have forgotten the two weeks they had rejected her, but Diego knew his cousin would remember them for the rest of her life. Even so, she tried hard to receive their good wishes cordially."The widow, Doña Nazarena de Hidalgo, is organizing with a group of women to make costumes for the less fortunate. It will be a very luxurious party where it will be impossible to tell the difference in the guests' attire. If you want, I can talk to her so you can join the sewing project," Amanda suggested."Sure..." Sofía began, but stopped at the sight of María Esther's almost imperceptible headshake."We'll let you know if we have time," Isabel added, adjusting Manuel, who slept in her arms.Diego knew it was an empty promise. They had no interest in making gala costumes for the poor. The young man didn't blame his cousin for that small act of vengeance towards her family. They had treated her very cruelly, and although it was partly justified, things had gone too far. Now Amanda's only option was to become the wife of a womanizing criollo. There was no way that union would turn out well.