"Love doesn't have to be shown," she replied, her voice deliberately light and dismissive, though careful restraint lay beneath it. "Words are enough."
It was a lie, and they both knew it.
But she refused to step so easily into whatever game he was weaving.
Santiago watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before offering a small, almost indifferent nod.
"All right," he said. "Continue practicing. I'll go rest for a while."
He turned without waiting for a response, his steps already carrying him toward the door as though the conversation had concluded exactly where he intended.
Daniella froze.
Then her eyes widened.
Wait.
That wasn't how this was supposed to end.
"Hey... wait… wait!" she called quickly, dropping the gun onto the table with a careless clatter as she hurried after him.
He didn't stop. Didn't even slow down.
And that indifference was enough to snap the last thread of her patience.
