Claudia glanced down at the way Mateo slumped when he stood. His expression changed slightly, but it changed.
“He’s in the office with Miss Valeria.”
I felt a pulse in my throat.
“Then all the better.”
Claudia understood instantly that I was serious.
“I’ll take the boy if necessary.”
“No,” I said. “She has to be with me.”
Mateo gripped my jacket sleeve with two fingers. A small gesture. Almost invisible.
But it felt as if he had placed his entire life in my hands.
We walked up the long hallway on the first floor. Each footstep was too loud on the polished floor. In front of the office door, I paused for a second.
Inside, I could hear two voices.
Alejandro’s, calm. Valeria’s, soft, almost musical.
I wanted to break down the door.
I knocked once and entered without waiting for an answer.
Alejandro looked up, annoyed.
