The entire family settled into the living room sofas to listen to what Sebastián had to say. The young man had no choice but to confess part of the truth to his parents. Diego watched him worriedly. He had never seen his brother so scared. This wasn't the first time his brother had gotten into trouble, but now his life hung by a thread, and his father's goodwill was the only thing that could save him."The Bustamante children believe it was Ana's lover who killed their father. I've done and said some things that might make them suspect me. I'm sorry, but if you don't let me go to Spain with you, they'll arrest me," Sebastián explained in a trembling voice."Oh, Sebastián, for the love of God! Don't tell me you were sleeping with that woman..." Óscar exclaimed, shaking his head."Ana is beautiful," he said, confirming his father's suspicion."I suspected you had some reason for wanting to travel to Spain. I didn't believe your sudden interest in protecting the family lands for a moment," Óscar added, massaging his temples.María Esther, who was sitting next to Sebastián, moved closer, took his hand, and began to stroke it. Diego had never seen her behave this way with his brother, not even when they were children. Clara, Leónidas's mother, was usually the one who comforted and helped him when he had a problem."That would be a very serious accusation. Mariano Bustamante has important contacts throughout the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, and they could send Sebastián to prison because of a shameless woman who doesn't respect herself," María Esther added, looking worriedly at her husband.The man remained silent as if having an internal debate. In recent months, the rivalry between them had become unbearable, but Diego was sure that Sebastián still mattered enough to his father to save his life. Seeing that no one was saying anything, Diego tried to intercede on his brother's behalf:"Father, please, you have to let him travel to Spain with you. I'll stay and take care of the crops at La Rosa."In the moments that followed Diego's words, it seemed as if everyone in the room was holding their breath at the same time. After a few moments of increasing tension, Óscar responded:"Fine, you can come with us. But honestly, I wouldn't worry so much if I were you. There must be a long list of men who passed through Ana Bustamante's bed. I wouldn't be surprised if she seduced a murderer to get rid of her husband. Women like that are the worst."Diego's shoulders relaxed. In a few months, his brother could be safe on the other side of the ocean. Óscar's words did not cast doubt on Sebastián's innocence. Perhaps he believed his son was incapable of committing such an atrocious act as murder, or he was too frightened by the possibility of knowing the truth."Thank you," Sebastián said, his jaw tight.It was evident he didn't like how his parents viewed Ana, but at the same time, they were his salvation, and the journey was the only escape route he had.In the weeks following the young man's confession, the Pérez Esnaola family was busy with preparations for the trip. When the day of departure arrived, the entire family went to the port to see off Sebastián and his parents.Diego would stay in the viceroyalty with his cousins and his aunt. Óscar explained to his children that his plan had always been for one of them to stay with the family's lands in Europe and the other in Buenos Aires in charge of the estate. Facing the possibility of not seeing each other for many years, the man hired a lawyer to manage the paperwork for Diego to become the owner of La Rosa. The young man would make decisions on the estate, although Catalina would be his legal guardian until he reached adulthood or married."See you soon. I'll miss you very much," Sebastián said, giving Diego a tight hug."Take care!" exclaimed Diego, not letting go.When the brothers separated, María Esther hugged her younger son tightly, and Óscar, who had never been very demonstrative, patted him on the shoulder. Diego knew it would be many years before he saw them again, and that thought brought a painful tightness to his chest. It was possible this would be the last time they were all together."Take good care of your aunt and cousins," Óscar ordered, twisting his thick black mustache.María Esther was hugging Diego so tightly that he felt his mother might break his ribs. Tears streamed down the faces of Catalina, Amanda, and Sofía, while Isabel stared off into the horizon. The young man had to muster all his willpower not to join them. Even the burly Pablo had reddened eyes."We have to go now, or we'll miss the boat," Óscar warned, gently tugging on his wife's sleeve.María Esther clung to Diego more tightly."Maybe I should stay with him at La Rosa. My boy still needs me," she suggested at the last moment, stroking her favorite son's cheek.Although it usually bothered Diego that his mother treated him like a child, this time he closed his eyes and hugged her with the same intensity she did."I'll be fine, Mom. I promise I'll visit you sometime," he said, trying to keep his voice steady and calm."Don't be ridiculous, woman! Diego is already a man and knows how to take care of himself. We don't know how long it will take to evict those damned intruders, and your place will always be by my side," Óscar scolded.María Esther reluctantly let go of Diego, and the young man noticed her face was covered in tears. The woman took much less time to say goodbye to Pablo, Roberto, her nieces, and her sister-in-law. Sebastián hugged Amanda one last time, and his father sighed:"If we miss the boat because of you...""Take good care of Pablo and don't let him get into too much trouble, but don't scold him too much when he does," Sebastián asked Amanda, who laughed through her tears."Do you want me to leave any message for Ana?" Pablo asked when his friend separated from Amanda."No, it will be easier for her to forget me if she doesn't have anything of mine to remember me by," he replied, sadness seeping into his voice."I'm sorry it had to be this way," Pablo said."So am I. I would have liked to stay here and, in time, become a bad influence on your children," Sebastián joked, looking at the couple, and Diego noticed Amanda blushing.Pablo smiled and wrapped an arm around Amanda's waist. Diego thought he might have been wrong to judge their union. They made a lovely couple, after all, and he only hoped neither of them would ruin the relationship they had just begun. Both were rebellious, fun, and impulsive, and if they didn't end up killing each other, they might have a very happy marriage.Sebastián looked back as they walked toward the ship, holding his mother's arm, who was covering her face with a handkerchief. The breeze brought with it the smell of the port's decay, giving Diego a sense of melancholy. He remembered as if it were yesterday the day the Pérez Esnaola set foot in Buenos Aires for the first time. That day, Sebastián had mocked the city's name. Now his parents and brother were returning to Spain without him. He would miss them with all his heart, but he knew his home was in La Rosa, alongside Sofía.