Chapter 217

The smile on Melody's face faded as she looked at Juan and Debra. "If you two want to go out on a date, go ahead, but you must be back by tonight. It's not right to spend the whole day out."

"Understood," Juan replied, his appetite suddenly vanishing. He stood up from the table and turned to Debra. "Go change your clothes. I'll wait outside."

"Okay," Debra agreed, casting a glance at Hester as she rose from her seat.

Hester's gaze followed Juan, her eyes filled with an affection that spoke volumes.

Debra quickly changed her clothes upstairs. When she came back down, Hester looked even more despondent than before.

Outside, Juan was already in the driver's seat of his car, having prepared a seat cushion for Debra.

"Get in."

Debra slid into the passenger seat. Juan didn't start the engine right away. Instead, he remained silent for a moment.

"Grandma is just worried you might not care about me."

"I know."

Not naïve, she understood the dynamics at play. The Vargas family was just