Bárbara entered the dining room with calm steps and a smile on her lips.

Laura slowly lifted her gaze, letting it settle on Bárbara with a sharp half-smile.

“Cousin...” she began casually, resting her elbows on the table. “By now, you should know that only what matters gets remembered. Only what has value.”

Bárbara tilted her head slightly. The smile remained, but her eyes darkened.

“I adore your sense of humor, Laura,” she replied with false sweetness. “People who are unloved tend to be like t