Chapter Twenty Six

Leonel

Seeing Miracle made me feel overjoyed but I knew something was off. She wasn't supposed to be back until the weekend. I led her to the dining table and we ate in silence, enjoying the grilled salmon, lemon, and herb marinade served with roasted vegetables and wild rice pilaf.

Her face shone under the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and as we ate, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

She seemed distant as if she was carrying a heavy weight on her shoulders.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, reaching across the table to touch her hand.

She smiled weakly, but I could tell it was forced. "I'm fine, just tired from the long flight."

"How is your family?" I asked, looking at her intently as I took a sip of my red wine. She hesitated for a moment, staring down at her plate, before finally sighing heavily.

"My aunt didn't know about the contract and when I told her yesterday, she disagreed with it vehemently," she explained, twirling her fork in her food. I leaned b