The same flat command. But the weight of it felt different now.
Daniella looked at the food, then at him. "You can cook?"
It slipped out. Not mocking. Not impressed. Just surprised.
Santiago didn't answer. Didn't react. As if the question didn't deserve acknowledgment.
Daniella picked up the spoon. Took a bite. Warm. Simple. It grounded her.
She ate slowly, then faster. Hunger winning.
Still—she felt his presence. Watching. Not admiring. Not caring. Ensuring that she did what he had decided.
"You're staring," she muttered, not looking up.
"Eat."
Same tone. Same control.
She almost scoffed. Instead, she took another bite.
The silence stretched. Then she spoke—
"You're acting strange."
That made him look at her. Not sharply. Not surprised. Just directly.
Daniella met his gaze. "For someone like you… you're doing a lot."
Not an accusation. Observation. Testing.
Santiago said nothing. His eyes held hers for a second longer than necessary. Then he looked away.
