Santiago leaned back, his posture relaxed, but the tension beneath it sharpened.
"And you didn't deny lying about the father," he replied evenly.
The words struck clean.
Daniella's fingers tightened against her abdomen, but she didn't break eye contact.
Silence stretched again.
The car moved steadily forward while the world outside continued in its indifferent rhythm.
Then Santiago's gaze dropped briefly to her hand, resting protectively over her stomach.
When he spoke again, his voice was quieter.
"You're keeping it," he said.
It wasn't a question.
Daniella's throat tightened, but her answer came without hesitation.
"Yes."
Simple. Certain.
Santiago studied her a moment longer.
Then he looked away, his gaze returning to the road ahead, expression unreadable once more.
"Then don't lose it again," he said flatly.
No softness. No reassurance.
But beneath the cold words, something between them had shifted.
