The next week was full of anger and sadness. The Madrigals decided to hold off the funeral until things blew over. Abuela Alma initially suggested using the funeral in hopes of leering Adrien out. However, the idea was quickly shut down. No one wanted the funeral to be ruined by that monster ruining it. So, for the time being, Camilo's body lay in the Encanto's morgue.

Dolores sat in her and Mariano's room. She was working on destroying her wedding dress. Months ago, she cried when she saw the design. The local seamstress had designed the dress just for her. She couldn't wait to put it on. Now, she just wanted to burn it. No matter how hard she scrubbed, the stains were still there.

The door opened with gentleness. Mariano entered the dark bedroom. "Good evening," Mariano said.

"Good evening," Dolores said. Her voice wasn't filled with any emotion. She was done crying. She had no tears left to shed. She was the opposite of the rest of her family. Isabela could grow flowers, but they didn't have their usual brightness. The storm hadn't stopped since Camilo's door flickered out. Luisa and Mirabel had started spending less and less time at home. Julieta refused to even enter the kitchen. She had never lost a patient before. Abuela never left her room. Felix and Agustín were trying to hold the family together, but Dolores heard them sobbing at night when she went to the bathroom. Even the Casita itself was less lively. The one who seemed to take it the hardest was Antonio. He had experienced death with his animal friends, but nothing like this.

"I want us to take a trip?" Mariano asked. "Consider it a sort of honeymoon."

"I don't think now is a good time," Dolores stated.

"I think now is a perfect time," Mariano insisted. "I talked with the others, and they agree. It's not safe here. We'll travel in the opposite direction of the lake. I found a time nearby. It's only a few-hour journey in a carriage. We'll return when things calm down."

"They need my hearing," Dolores argued. "How else is our community going to be safe?"

"They've already upped security," Mariano explained. "There's now surveillance around the entire town. Abuela agrees this is a good idea. We'll keep in contact through letters."

A part of Dolores wanted to go. Adrien had attacked her two times. He had killed her brother. She just wanted things to go back to normal. The casita bounced a suitcase to her feet. On top of the suitcase was a photo of Camilo. The Casita was trying to say, "Go. You know it's what he would have wanted."

"We leave in the morning," Mariano said. "Unless you really don't want to go."

Dolores threw her arms around her husband. She nuzzled into his collarbone. Mariano held her close to her chest. "Okay," she answered.