Valeria’s throat tightened.
“Protected from whom?”
Alejandro did not answer fast enough.
Her voice lowered.
“From whom, Alejandro?”
“From your mother.”
The words cut cleanly.
Valeria looked toward the reception hall, where Doña Beatriz stood beneath strings of golden lights, still performing outrage for anyone who would listen.
“My grandmother knew?”
“She suspected Beatriz wanted control of the property. But she died before she could finalize additional protections.”
Valeria swallowed.
Abuela Elena had died suddenly after a fall in her home.
At least that was what the family had always said.
“She fell,” Valeria whispered.
Alejandro’s gaze sharpened.
“That is what the report said.”
“But you don’t believe it.”
“I believe accidents happen.” He paused. “I also believe powerful greed makes accidents convenient.”
Valeria felt the terrace tilt beneath her.
“My mother killed my grandmother?”
“I do not have proof.”
“But you think it.”
“I think your grandmother was afraid enough to leave warnings behind.”
Valeria stood abruptly.
The chair scraped against stone.
“No. You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to arrive like vengeance in a suit, ruin a wedding, hand me proof of one betrayal, and then hint at something worse.”
Alejandro stood too.
“I am not hinting. I am telling you the truth carefully because tonight already cost you enough.”
“You lied by omission.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you come to me at that bar?”
He met her eyes.
“That night? Chance.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I knew your name from the files, but I had never seen you in person. When I heard that man insult you, I stepped in because he was an animal.”