Realizing she had said more than she intended, Eloá hurried to correct herself.

“I didn't mean anything by that, Mom.”

“How not?” Denise raises an eyebrow suspiciously. “Is Henri the one you're interested in?”

“No!” Eloá shoots back, visibly nervous. “No one interests me. I'm not thinking about relationships right now. I just want to study. That's all I meant.”

Denise studies her daughter for a few more seconds, narrowing her eyes, but decides not to push any further.

“Alright.”

A moment later,