- Calls.

She tried to avoid thinking about it. Instead, she focused on keeping herself busy with work as she walked through the streets of Paris.

Dressed in various outfits for a magazine photoshoot, she later returned to the car and headed to the company.

"You look different," one of the models said to Lara.

"Really?"

"There's a different glow in your eyes."

Lara listened to her colleagues' comments but responded briefly, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

She didn’t want to think about her doctor's appointment, the possible pregnancy, or how far along she might be—weeks or mere days.

Work helped keep her mind at ease.

She refused to say his name because, as she did the math and remembered the anniversary party at that hotel—remembering that one night of love—she quickly shook her head, pushing the thought away.

"Mr. Dimitri," Diana said upon answering the phone.

"Hello, Diana. How is my sister?" Dimitri asked.

"She’s fine, sir, just busy."

"I've been trying to call her, but she won’t answer. Tell me, Diana, is something wrong?"

"Nothing, Mr. Dimitri. As I said, your sister is just occupied with work."

"Please tell her to call me."

"Yes, sir, I will."

With that, the call ended.

Diana returned to Lara, who was getting ready to leave work for the day. Her assistant reminded her about the party at Sofía’s house.

"I understand, Diana. Let’s go eat first."

They left for the car, and her driver took them to Lara’s favorite restaurant, where they were quickly served.

"You mentioned that my brother called?"

"Yes, he asked about you and requested that you call him back since you haven’t been answering."

"Alright then," Lara said, glancing at the time on her watch.

She figured she could stop by her apartment before heading to the party. Sofía was a friend and colleague she hadn’t seen in a while. She might even see Patricio there since they had been texting.

"Alright, I’ll go to the party. Take the rest of the day off."

Diana hesitated about leaving Lara alone. Ever since their doctor's visit, she hadn’t been the same. She finally dared to ask:

"I can go with you."

"Thanks, but I’ll be fine."

They didn’t discuss the topic further, calmly finishing their meal before heading home.

Lara and Diana lived in the same apartment complex.

Once in her apartment, Lara decided to take a nap, setting her alarm to avoid being late for the elegant party.

"Have you spoken to your sister?"

Dimitri was talking to their father. Neither of them had heard much from her.

"No. Diana told me she’s fine. And you know her, Dad—she dedicates herself one hundred percent to her career."

"I know, but the last time I spoke to her, I told her to be more social, to stop isolating herself."

"I understand, Dad," Dimitri replied.

Their biggest fear was that Lara would be too alone, too absorbed in her work. They both wanted her to enjoy life more.

Since their mother’s death, she had changed. She had once been a happy, social young woman. But after that, she focused solely on work.

"Is your sister still with Matías?"

"I don’t know. She hasn’t mentioned anything about breaking up."

"And what about her friend, Patricio?"

"Pato is in Paris, too. I think they’re meeting tonight at Sofía’s party."

"Yes, I remember Sofía… Do you know if Lara is traveling to Madrid?"

"I think so. She has to attend a company event there."

"I see," his father said simply.

"Dad, what’s wrong?"

"I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Leo married the model Viridiana Castro a while ago."

"I think I heard something about that. Why?" Dimitri asked.

"You know your sister is deeply in love with him. I don’t want Lara—"

"No, no. She’s not in love with him," Dimitri interrupted.

His father just nodded, saying nothing more. But Dimitri hadn’t seen what he had witnessed that night at the hotel party.

"You need to go to Paris and check on your sister."

Just as he said that, Dimitri’s phone rang. He checked the caller ID.

"It’s her, Dad."

"Give me the phone."

"Dad," Lara said when she heard his voice.

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you?"

"I’m fine, Dad. Are you with Dimitri?"

"Yes, sweetheart. But tell me, when are you coming home?"

"I don’t know yet. I still have work in Paris, and you know I’m going to Madrid. Maybe after that, I’ll visit. But Dad, are you okay? Did something happen? Is it about the aunts?"

"No, no, I’m fine, darling. I’m just happy to know you’ll be back soon."

"Okay, Dad. Can you pass the phone to Dimitri?"

"Yes, yes."

"Lara," Dimitri greeted.

"You’re at Dad’s house?"

"Yes, I came to see him. How are you?"

"I’m fine. But what’s wrong with Dad? He seems worried."

"You know how he is—he’s always worried about you."

"Yeah, yeah… So, did you want to tell me something? Diana said you asked me to call you."

"Well, since you haven’t been answering my calls…"

"Sorry, I’ve been busy with work. And actually, I need to go—I’m heading to Sofía’s party. Patricio just arrived to pick me up."

"Send my regards to him—and from Dad, too."

"Will do. I’ll call you later."

They said their goodbyes, and Lara hung up. She stepped out of her room, where her friend Patricio was waiting.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes."

"My brother and my dad send their regards."

"You talked to them?"

"Yeah."

Lara sat in Patricio’s car as he drove. As they chatted, he couldn’t quite place it, but something about her seemed different.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I don’t know… Did you start that terrible diet again?"

"No."

Patricio glanced at her.

"Are you sure?"

She just smiled.

They arrived at the party, stepping out of the car and heading toward the entrance. The event had already started.

They greeted a few people before finally seeing Sofía. Another redhead like Lara, Sofía was overjoyed to see her, and they hugged excitedly.

The party was lively and pleasant, filled with laughter, drinks, and good company.

Patricio stayed close to Lara.

When a few other women arrived with their husbands—some of them pregnant—Lara tried to avoid getting drawn into their conversations.

Instead, she turned to her friend, sipping on a soda.