79

The atmosphere in the De Santos mansion’s dining room that morning was far from calm. Mrs. Hansel sat at the end of the table with a tense expression, a cup of milk gone cold in her hand untouched.

“Leon, explain this to me,” she said sharply. “How could Giselle just leave without any of us knowing?”

Leon, sitting across from her, leaned back in his chair. He looked calm on the surface, but his eyes revealed exhaustion. “She wanted to leave, Mom. There’s nothing we can do.”

Mrs. Hansel tapped her fingers against the table. “You didn’t even try to look for her? Leon, don’t you realize that girl...