- The Grandfather’s Party.

Grandfather Lauro’s country house, the father of Lara and Dimitri, seemed to shine with its own light that afternoon. Garland hung between the trees, the sound of a soft band mixed with the voices of the guests, and the aroma of homemade food floated in the air like a promise of home.

It was his 72nd birthday, and although the years had given him gray hair and wrinkles, they had also gifted him a serene wisdom and a smile that needed no explanation.

—Did you see who arrived? —Dimitri said to Lara, while holding a glass of wine.

She turned her face... and there he was, Leo, dressed casually, with a small child in his arms and Viridiana walking beside him.

Dad hadn’t mentioned it at all.

—That must be Valentín. —Lara murmured, softly.

—He has the same eyes as Thiago. —Dimitri said, almost unwillingly.