Chapter 18: The Surrender

Years passed. Lucía dedicated herself to the poor, running a small school in Havana. The city changed—Americans came and went, fortunes were made and lost, but Lucía’s heart remained untouched by all but one man.

Then, on a rainy morning, Michael returned. He found her in the schoolhouse, chalk on her fingers, children at her feet. He was older, his hair touched with gray, but his eyes held the same fire.