Alejandro clenched his jaw in anger, but before he could speak, the conversation was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Manuela, who burst in abruptly.

Her face wore a strange, even nervous expression as she looked at Alejandro and then at Amelia.

"Alejandro..." Manuela said breathlessly, almost as if she had run to get there. "I need to tell you something important. Something Amelia has never told you."

The silence in the room deepened. Amelia closed her eyes briefly, already anticipating wh