79. Confronting Truths

Marissa sat in her bedroom, tears streaming down her face, when Juan entered with a tray. "Marissa, here's your dinner. You missed lunch with us," he said.

"I'm not hungry. I just want to be alone," Marissa replied.

"You know I never listen to you when it comes to taking care of yourself. That's why you're going to eat, and then we're going to talk," Juan insisted, his tone firm but compassionate.

He placed the tray on the nightstand and offered his hand to help her sit on the bed. "So, what went down with Guerra?"

"He's aware of everything, maybe even more, and it's all twisted up thanks to Daniella. I don't know what she told him, but she mixes things up, making me feel insignificant. And maybe I made it worse because he proposed, and I turned him down."

"Why? You love him, don't you?" Juan inquired.

"I do, so much that it's tearing me apart. I've fallen for him. I love that he's the one I love," Marissa confessed.

"Then why say no?" Juan pressed.

"Because I don't want to lose him,"