As night fell, the house quieted down, the earlier energy fading into a peaceful calm. Alvaro was tucked into bed, clutching his new dinosaur tightly. Jessica sat on the edge of his small bed, humming a soft tune as her fingers gently brushed his hair.
“Dino sleep too?” Alvaro mumbled, his eyelids heavy.
“Yes, sweetheart. Dino is very tired from all the fun today,” Jessica whispered, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
“Mama…” he murmured, his voice trailing off as sleep overtook him.
Jessica sat there for a moment longer, watching him breathe deeply, his tiny face peaceful in the glow of the nightlight. She stood quietly and left the room, closing the door halfway behind her.
In the hallway, Armando was waiting, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. His sharp featu
