- Beneath the Rain That Didn’t Soak Everything.

They remained silent for a moment, the background noise of the birthday party filling the space. Lara looked at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes, as if something inside her wasn’t sure whether to keep arguing or thank him for coming. In the end, she simply gave a small nod.

"All right. But don’t come in like nothing happened. Don’t confuse him more than he already is. Thiago loves his dad very much."

Leo lowered his gaze, as if those words hurt more than he had expected.

"The last thing I want is to confuse him."

"Then do what you said you came to do," she murmured. "Be his father. And do it right, even if it’s just for a while."

Leo nodded, and the conversation was left hanging, like a thread that would be pulled tight again later.

The sky was beginning to darken and the air carried the sweet scent of wet earth. From the window, Lara saw the rain arriving. It had been a good decision to return home.