Chapter 81 —Julieta

Narrator:

Sasha was the first to react. She blinked in surprise before looking the woman up and down, assessing her with the natural curiosity of a teenager.

“Who are you?” she asked cautiously, though her tone was not hostile.

The woman smiled, a soft, calculated gesture, as if she had already anticipated that question.

“My name is Julieta,” she replied calmly, fixing her gaze on Sasha before looking away toward the headstone. “I was a friend of your mother's.”

Aylin felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. Something didn't add up.

“A friend of Miranda's?” she repeated, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Julieta nodded slowly, without losing her smile.

“Yes. I met her a long time ago, when we were young. We used to share long walks, endless conversations... and secrets.”

Sasha's eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?”

Julieta tilted her head with a melancholy air.

“Yes, dear. Miranda was a wonderful woman.”

Aylin didn't take her eyes off her.

There was something about t