CHAPTER SIXTY - KEEPING THE PEACE

They made their way to Miguel's study, where he poured them each a generous glass of whiskey. They sat in silence for a while, sipping their drinks. "I'm sorry," Miguel said finally. "About Amanda. About all of it." Karina nodded, staring into her glass. "I'm sorry too. For running off like that." Miguel sighed, leaning back in his chair. "This is harder than I thought it would be." "Which part?" Karina asked. "The lying? The pretending?" "All of it," Miguel admitted. "I didn't expect... I didn't think about how it would feel." Karina looked up, meeting his eyes. "How does it feel?" Miguel held her gaze, something unreadable in his expression. "Confusing," he said softly. As the night wore on, Miguel and Karina found themselves talking more openly than they ever had before. The whiskey loosened their tongues, and the late hour lowered their defenses. "I never meant to hurt you," Miguel said softly, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "With Amanda, I mean. I should have war