Chapter 100. The House by the Sea with Red-Tiled Roof

Carlos paused. At first, his breathing seemed to be the only sound in the silence, but eventually, he could hear the drip-drop of the melting ice from the ice bucket dripping onto the floor below the dinner table. He saw her lips wobble, and somehow that roused a devil in him, something that gave him composure, something that told him he ought not to be the one being led by the nose. Keep hold of your emotions, Dahlia used to tell him, that is how you take control of the situation.

He smiled, making sure his teeth were visible. “Okay, baby girl. Lie to me some more, I’m listening.”

“I’m not lying, I’ve been obsessed with the Del Rosa family since I was a child.”

“Really?” He raised an amused brow. “Why?”

“I-I… I had this painting as a… when I was a ch-child,” she couldn’t help but stutter as she was second-guessing every word she said. “I named it Esmeralda because of some book I read, and it kindled the fire of research and investigation in me