And she was smiling.
Not her polite society smile.
A real one.
Alejandro hadn’t seen that smile in years.
How many times had assistants escorted her to events?
How many times had staff pretended patience while glancing at their phones?
How often had she been treated like a responsibility instead of a person?
And now a tired waitress — who didn’t know who she was helping — restored something others never managed to.
Alejandro felt something uncomfortable shift inside him.
An Offer Refused
Kindness Without Audience
Before leaving, Doña Mercedes grasped Valeria’s wrist gently.
“What’s your name, daughter?”
“Valeria.”
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