Chapter 82 —Red

Narrator:

After Sasha finished telling her idealized version of the story, Aylin noticed how Julieta was watching her with a mixture of curiosity and something else, something she couldn't quite identify.

“It sounds like Roman finally found someone who makes him happy,” Julieta commented with an enigmatic smile, stirring her coffee slowly. “He wasn't an easy man... but I suppose you're not either, are you, Aylin?”

Aylin tilted her head, her smile remaining, but there was a hint of warning in her gaze.

“I think she's right about that.”

Sasha laughed and drank her juice with carefree joy, while Julieta let out a low, approving chuckle.

“That's good. Roman needs someone with character by his side.”

The tone was friendly, but Aylin couldn't shake the feeling that there was a double meaning in every word.

Sasha, oblivious to the subtle tension in the conversation, set her glass on the table and smiled.

“Julieta, why haven't we seen you before?”

The woman set her cup down car