Marina slid into the conversation effortlessly, introducing Sarah as "a friend of mine." Her grandmother's gaze lingered on Sarah for a moment longer than necessary, as if she could sense the electricity still humming between the three of us.
Sarah, ever the picture of composure, simply smiled and reached for a pancake. "You could say that," she replied, her tone light, but the way her fingers brushed against mine under the table told a different story.
Later, when we were alone, I pulled up SERA's interface to check on Javier, Diaz, and Sergio. The screen flickered to life, and SERA's voice was cool, detached. "Javier and Sergio did not surrender willingly. They went into hiding, fearing your retribution—especially after witnessing Diaz's condition."
