I stared at the screen for a long moment before closing the app. A familiar sting welled up inside my chest, but I forced it down before it could turn into something messier.
As I slid into the backseat of the car, another message appeared.
“Please don’t misunderstand,” her voice added. “Leonardo is only helping me because he feels bad. Being alone in a new city is really difficult.”
The implication was clear. She depended on him. And he answered—without hesitation.
My phone rang again moments later. Leonardo’s name flashed across the screen. I answered, and his frustration was immediate.
“Anastasia, why were you so distant earlier? Camila works under me—it’s my responsibility to make sure she’s safe. Her situation is temporary until housing is finalized. Surely you understand that helping her is reasonable.”
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
“Since when do you put this much effort into your employees? At the last company gala, you left early claiming you weren’t feeling well. I didn’t question it. But now you’re rearranging your life for her?”
Soft crying filtered through the background.
Camila’s voice followed, fragile and carefully measured.