Thomas had arrived at Lucía’s house—Elvira’s niece—and was now sitting beside his sister at the dining table. The pink-haired woman approached with a cup of coffee and took a seat across from them.
Intrigued by the idea of dosticating her, Thomas tried to start a conversation.
"Is there no one else ho?" he asked.
"Not today."
"Did the relatives who live here mind my sister staying over?"
’A subtle question. She should answer with how many people live here.’
"No."
Thomas exhaled. Lucía closed her eyes briefly, taking her ti as she sipped her coffee.
When she opened her green eyes and looked at Thomas, she said,
"I know it’s not really my place, but I won’t deny that what happened with Iris intrigued . If I’m not overstepping regarding how you take care of her, may I ask how old you are?"
"Nineteen," Thomas replied.
Lucía narrowed her gaze slightly, curiosity flickering beneath her calm expression.
"And your parents? Where are they?"
"It’s just the two of us. They left years ago, so I take care of her. But why does that matter?"
"Because I have enough empathy to want to help a little girl who may not be receiving proper care. Call crazy if you want, but it’s not normal to leave a child under ten alone in a ho with debt collectors—especially on the night your belongings are thrown out into the street."
Thomas scoffed. The comnt irritated him. He didn’t like having his authority questioned.
"I understand your concern, but it was a mistake I don’t plan on repeating. I’ve been taking care of my sister for four years. I know what I’m doing."
Lucía leaned slightly against the table, interlacing her fingers beneath her chin.
"I apologize if I offended you." Despite her words, her gaze remained steady and sharp.
’Strange... I can’t tell if she’s just brutally honest or pretending.’
"In any case, why are you addressing so formally? Aren’t you younger than ?"
"I prefer to show respect to everyone; it’s nothing personal. What guarantees that if I let her go, she’ll be safe and properly cared for? What if I could have helped and instead beco complicit in child neglect?"
"I live in the sa building as your aunt Elvira, don’t I? She can tell you anyti if I do sothing wrong."
"Actually, she does. She’s told many things about you."
Thomas grew serious. He knew how poor his relationship with Elvira was and how she belittled him whenever she had the chance. Before either of them could continue, Iris spoke up.
"My brother isn’t a bad brother."
Both Lucía and Thomas turned their attention to Iris. She continued,
"He takes care of every single day. He feeds whenever I’m hungry, even if he has to go hungry himself. He washes my clothes every day so I can go to school clean. When I have trouble studying, he helps , and he always takes to and from school. Even when he’s working."
She paused, her expression softening into sadness as she spoke in a low voice.
"Even if yesterday was the first ti he didn’t show up... I believe him when he says it wasn’t his fault."
Thomas smiled faintly, guilt tightening in his chest. It didn’t matter what the world said; Iris’s approval alone made everything worth it.
He gently stroked her hair and said,
"I won’t ever leave you alone during sothing important again. I promise."
Iris smiled at him, her large pink eyes bright and innocent.
"I know. You’ve always been a very responsible brother."
Lucía studied Iris’s expression—a clear, bright gaze without fear. She knew children were easy to read when they were being coerced or threatened into saying specific things, but she detected no hesitation in Iris’s body language.
’My aunt has a terrible temper. Maybe she exaggerated everything she said about him. It’s just an assumption, but I want to make the right decision.’
She inhaled deeply and exhaled, closing her eyes briefly. Thomas watched her and, wanting to steer away from the topic, said,
"Lucía, you’re very different from your aunt."
"Don’t call ’Ms.,’ please. I’m twenty-two."
"Oh... wow, you’re really young. I thought you were older."
"Do I look that old?" she asked, disappointed, lightly tugging at a strand of her pink hair as if she could see herself in a mirror.
"No, not at all. You’re young. It’s just that the way you speak, your composure, and your height make you seem older."
Lucía looked away again, making a small guttural sound. Clearly, she once again felt like he had called her old. Thomas noticed and quickly added,
"S-sorry, that’s not what I ant. There’s nothing wrong with you."
Seeing her fall briefly into her thoughts, Thomas considered taking advantage of the mont—but stopped himself.
’I’m interested in getting her gift, and I could use her interest in letting Iris visit from ti to ti. She doesn’t seem hard by staying here, and that would let get closer to Lucía and dosticate her later. But I won’t do it that way. I’ll never use my sister as leverage or put her at risk. Besides, I can use Elvira to order her to call Lucía and arrange a "coincidental" eting. I know what might draw her closer to , but I can also co up with other plans to work my way into her social circle.’
"Would you be interested in working for ?" Lucía asked suddenly.
"Huh?"
"You said you need money, and I’m looking for an employee. Would you like to take the job?"
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