He turned to Nina. “I need to speak with you in the study.” His voice, firm yet calm, left no room for debate. He gestured to Sofia. “Stay with Lena. I’ll return shortly.”
From the doorway, Marcelo heard Sofia softly narrating tales of imaginary birds and hidden gardens, drawing giggles from Lena. Questions surged in his mind. Who was Sofia Rivas really, and why had she devoted herself to a child she barely knew?
The next day, Marcelo remained home, something he had rarely done in years. From the study overlooking the sea, he observed Sofia guiding Lena’s hands over pots of basil, teaching her scents, textures, and the subtle differences between leaves. Lena’s laughter and curiosity filled the space that had long been silent.
Marcelo’s thoughts wandered. Lena’s late mother, Elena Morales, had been a woman of gentle wisdom, whose mother, Beatrice, had planted herbs by the beach house long ago. Sofia knew of these family ties without ever being told.
At lunch, Marcelo watched Sofia meticulously cut Lena’s food, explaining each dish, engaging her senses fully. “How did you learn to care for children with visual impairments so naturally?” he asked.