Content Warning: This book contains depictions of sexual assault and sexual exploitation. Additionally, the source material contains racism, colorism, graphic violence, and gore.

The novel begins in November 1823 at Hacienda San Isidro. Padre Andrés watches as Beatriz leaves the hacienda. He contemplates how God does not understand true love because the doctrine of the Trinity means that God never experiences loneliness. Andrés kneels in the road, realizing that after experiencing the haunting of San Isidro, the only thing that succeeded in breaking him was losing Beatriz.

This chapter takes place in September 1823, two months earlier. Beatriz arrives at Hacienda San Isidro with her new husband, Rodolfo.

Rodolfo introduces Beatriz to the servants of San Isidro, including José Mendoza, the foreman, Ana Luisa, the housekeeper, and Ana Luisa’s daughter, Paloma. As Rodolfo introduces the servants, a woman introduces herself as Rodolfo’s sister Juana. This surprises Beatriz because Rodolfo never mentioned that he had a sister. Beatriz notices tension between Juana and Rodolfo, but Juana assures Beatriz that she lives in the servant’s quarters, so Beatriz will have the main house to herself.