n't sleep

loodshot, but not from tears. No, the tears had stopped hours ago. What remained was an empty ache in her c

She didn't scream or throw things like she'd imagined a woman might after discovering

ed to the kitchen, her body moving on autopilot. She made coffe

ionless face, she emp

be no more

p white shirt like it was any other day. His tie hung loosely around his neck. He

first, her voice calm and eerily steady. "But I

er, rubbing the back of his neck like a m

casual... I didn't think it was serious. But I broke t

had a way of sounding sincere, even

egnant. Not until years later,

You just welcomed her back into your lif

didn't mean for it to happen. I was trying

You could've told me, Rafaël. You could've come

didn't want

still c

oked

ried to balance both. I know how it sounds, but I di

w laugh. "So you aband

t of his choices was finally starting to cr

to me for how long?

es

t was enough to drive the final na

voice trembling. "My trust. My love. My loyalt

u, Camila. That

" she said, standing. "Because

his hand shot out and g

leave. Let's f

ed her a

you held her. Every time you tucked your son in

in. Their n

cause she had a plan. Not because she knew where to go. But because she couldn't

eared in t

ve to go. Ple

e him, and said the one th

. Did you

esit

attered what little

tly, nodding. "That's

st him without looking back, and l

until she reached

t embrace. Camila broke down, sobbing into Elira's shoulder like a child lost in a sto

she choked. "A whole li

red, stroking her hair

es me. But he didn't

ed her tissues. "You don't have to decide any

years. The moments she waited by the window, the nights she

t like

amiliar guest room at Elira's place, she star

taken a year ago during their anniversary dinner. He was smi

sn't sure w

eted th

nd felt

al-a habit she'd kept for

ri

ge ended

ng before that, and

w who I am

going to

rebuild what

hat to

and turned off the light

the victim of R

who rose from the ashes of