Everything came to a resolution with Carlos's firm declaration: "I'll take responsibility."
Alicia let out a soft laugh, though it was hard to tell if it was genuine or forced. "Grandpa, that was ages ago! How do you remember it better than I do?"
The old man chuckled knowingly, then suddenly placed Alicia's hand into Carlos's palm, squeezing them together. "That's good, that's good!"
Was this some kind of test? Alicia's stomach twisted into knots as she thought of the leaked photos—surely Grandpa knew about them too.
After some hurried small talk, the butler signaled that dinner was ready. The group moved to the dining table, where Alicia, her appetite gone, barely picked at her food before slipping away to her childhood bedroom.
Nothing had changed—the walls were still painted pink,
