Elena was about to leave with the notebook in her hand when she noticed something strange in Mrs. Carmen’s expression, a particular stillness in her face that seemed all too familiar.
The elderly woman did not react to the clinking of glasses or the elegant murmur of the restaurant filled with wealthy businessmen and tourists, as if the noise of the world could not reach her.
Then Elena saw the small, switched-off hearing aid behind Carmen’s silver ear, and in that instant she understood something that made her heart stop for a second.
The lady was not ignoring the conversation.
The lady simply couldn’t hear her.
Elena felt a lump in her throat because that scene immediately reminded her of her sister Sofia, who since childhood had faced exactly the same confused looks and the same uncomfortable situations.
Julián Valdés took a sip of whiskey while checking his phone, apparently used to his mother remaining silent during public dinners.
Mrs. Herrera watched from a distance with stern eyes, monitoring Elena’s every move as if waiting for the exact moment to point out any mistake.
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