I looked down at Gabriela, my voice softening into something that sounded almost paternal—though the thought made my lips twitch with dark amusement.
"Auntie," I murmured, my hand resting gently on her shoulder, "you can also take a rest. I'm here. Why don't you lie down and close your eyes for a while? I'll look after Brother Diaz. That way, when he wakes up, you'll be strong enough to take care of him properly."
Gabriela hesitated, her body tensing slightly as if she were about to refuse. But then my last words seemed to sink in, and her shoulders sagged in relief. She nodded slowly, finishing the last sip of her coffee before setting the cup down on the table beside her.
With a quiet sigh, she shifted onto the narrow side bed in the room, her movements slow and exhausted.
She turned onto her side, facing Diaz's motionless form, her hand reaching out to rest lightly on the edge of his blanket as if even in sleep, she needed to stay connected to him.
