My grip on my phone tightens. "I love her, Paco. I'm going there and explain—-"
"It's too late," Paco interrupts bleakly.
"Just let me talk to her," I say fiercely. "I'll make her understand—-"
"Maddy has made up her mind."
"Maddy is the love of my life—-"
But the old man goes on talking like my love is just garbage.
"Maddy says you can have the island, and in exchange...you must promise to never show her your face again."
"Didn't you hear me?" I grate out desperately. "I love her—-"
"But if you come see her again even once, she's made me promise to sell the island to Huzna's worst enemy."