Leonardo's POV
Joseph's performance lacked conviction—Veronica saw right through his act.
I had no choice but to confess sheepishly, "Joseph actually does miss you..."
She cut me off with ice in her voice, "That's no excuse for teaching him to deceive! Faking illness when he's perfectly fine—do you realize how worried I was?"
"We weren't lying. He genuinely had stomach pain before you arrived, so..."
"So you seized the opportunity and manipulated me into coming here, didn't you? Don't pretend I can't see what's going on in that head of yours," she snapped, jabbing her finger toward my chest, her piercing stare burning into me.
"Fine, I'll be honest. My son isn't the only one who misses you—I do too. I needed to see you, so I orchestrated this whole thing. Still doubt me? Here's proof!"
I handed her the two small notes Joseph had scribbled.
After scanning them, her fury cooled considerably.
Joseph truly had wanted to see her, had genuinely missed her.
