Gabriela's breath hitched again, her eyes flickering between mine and the roses on the table. "You're… you're too kind," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Diaz never mentioned you."
I tilted my head, my expression softening into something that looked like genuine concern. "I am a businessman, Auntie," I said, weaving the lie seamlessly.
"So, Brother Diaz didn't mention me much because I asked him not to. You know how it is—people get jealous. They might think Diaz was getting special help because of me, and I didn't want that for him. He was a proud man."
Gabriela's lower lip trembled, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her dress, pulling it tighter over her chest.
