Ximena suddenly speaks before you can stop her.
“He said if my mami caused trouble, she wouldn’t work here anymore.”
Every eye in the lobby lands on Esteban.
He recovers fast, but not fast enough. “Children misunderstand adult conversations all the time.”
Ximena’s chin trembles, though she fights it. “I didn’t misunderstand. I heard you. You told her to sign something.”
A muscle jumps in Esteban’s jaw.
You stand up again, taller now, colder. “What did you make her sign?”
His smile is gone. “Nothing illegal.”
That answer is so stupid it almost insults you.
You tilt your head. “That wasn’t your best option.”
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