As Simone walked off, Clara stayed frozen on the bench, her coffee now cold in her hand. She looked at Leo again—still laughing, still safe. But the warmth of the day suddenly felt thinner. Rosa had never given her a reason not to trust her. But now, for the first time, Clara wondered if she’d been paying close enough attention.
Clara tried to shake Simone’s words from her mind. She told herself Rosa was just doing her job—diligent, caring, maternal, even—but not inappropriate. Still, something had shifted. It was subtle. But once seen, it was hard to unsee.