When Florida walked into the newspaper office on Monday, his boss handed him a letter bearing the unmistakable stamp of Manuel's decree. She barely glanced at it and tossed it on the table nonchalantly. Her boss asked her to meet someone important, and Florida couldn't help but guess who that "big boss" might be. In her heart, she sarcastically speculated that perhaps Manuel, unable to control his excitement, was once again toying with her emotions.

Latent resentment boils over in Florida, her complicated feelings for Manuel overshadowed by the hatred that has taken away any remaining love since their painful breakup. He abandoned her seven years ago and now he...