It all suddenly made sense to me then.

Not in a cinematic way. Not with a rush of triumph or clarity that snapped everything neatly into place. There was no swelling music in my head, no gasp worthy of an audience. The realization came quietly, almost cruelly, settling into my chest with the weight of inevitability. The kind of understanding that did not ask permission before it lodged itself deep and refused to move.

Carlos’ words returned to me with uncomfortable precision.

“There is ...