“That wasn’t your best choice,” you say.
Rafa steps closer, just enough to shift the balance. Esteban straightens, but the edges of his control are already slipping.
Then Ximena says the words that break everything open.
“Please don’t let him take my mom downstairs again.”

The room goes still.

You turn back. “Again?”
She swallows. “Last time he locked her in a room because she was sick and a guest complained.”
Shock spreads.