Silence still lingered like a ghost when Celina opened her eyes. Hot tears slid down her cheeks, but there were no more sobs—only the bitter taste of humiliation, pain, and injustice. Her body, crumpled on the floor, no longer felt like her own—as if she had stopped being a victim and had begun to become something new, something still being forged.With a sudden motion, she pushed herself up. Her knees trembled, but she did not falter. She wiped her face with both hands, scrubbing the tears away as if she could erase the last fragments of fragility with them.“Celina, this isn’t the time to cry. This isn’t the time for sentiment. This is the time to think.”The words escaped her lips like a decree. Each syllable hammered down against the chaos still threatening to consume her. It was as if she had put on an invisible armor—made of pain, clarity, and determination. Her feelings, once raw and exposed, were now buried deep, sealed beneath layers of icy resolve. A strength she had never k

Celina arrived at Tatiana’s house with sunken eyes and a weary soul. The bright façade, with its wide windows and carefully tended garden, stood in brutal contrast to the darkness she carried within. Roberto was the first to step out of the car, pulling a heavy suitcase. Tatiana appeared at the doorway, her usual smile fading the instant she saw her friend’s expression.“Celina…” she said, rushing toward her. “My God, what happened? I’ve been following the Miller scandal—I can’t stop seeing it all over the news. And now, seeing you like this… something serious must have happened. Come, come inside.”Tatiana pulled her in with a tight embrace. The warmth of human contact made fresh tears threaten to fall, but Celina resisted. She had cried enough.They sat in the softly lit living room, decorated in warm, welcoming tones. Roberto settled into an armchair beside them, watching with a protective air.Celina drew a long breath, as if gathering strength to relive the days she wished she co

Celina hid in the suite, breathless. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared Thor could hear it from downstairs.Meanwhile, Thor kept pounding on the door.“Celina! We need to talk!”Roberto opened it, trying to block the furious man.“My friend, she’s not here.”Thor shoved the door open without hesitation.“You’re hiding her!” he shouted, scanning the rooms with wild eyes. “Celina! Please, listen to me!”Tatiana descended the stairs with firm posture.“Thor, she’s not here. We’re moving. Tomorrow we leave for Switzerland. Look around you.” She gestured to the suitcases scattered through the hall.He didn’t believe it.“You’re lying.”Thor rushed upstairs, storming into what used to be Celina’s room. He shouted her name, threw open doors, searched every corner. He entered another room. Still no sign of her. When he was about to open the suite door, he noticed the framed photos of Tatiana and Roberto. It hit him—he was invading their privacy, disrespecting them and their home. Reluctan

They ate between laughter and conversations about childhood, dreams, and even quirky little habits.After their snack, they walked to the famous orchid garden, where Zoe was enchanted by the variety of colors and shapes. Arthur watched her more than the flowers, mesmerized by the way she found wonder in the smallest details.“You see beauty in everything, don’t you?” he said.“I think it’s the world trying to remind me that there are still good things out there,” she replied, her eyes sparkling.Arthur took her hand and gently pulled her closer.“You’re one of those good things, Zoe.”She fell silent for a moment, simply staring into his eyes. That simple sentence had struck something deep inside her. Arthur, sensing the weight of the moment, smiled tenderly.“Shall we go up to that lookout?” he suggested, breaking the intensity before it grew too heavy.“Let’s go,” she said, laughing.They climbed to the lookout and stood side by side, gazing at the green expanse of the city. A soft

Zoe rushed back from lunch, her hair still tousled from the wind, her mind racing. She barely had time to digest her food—the clock was already reminding her of the meeting ahead. She went straight to the restroom, brushed her teeth, splashed water on her face, touched up her makeup quickly and efficiently, then walked toward the conference room with determined steps. She carried a stack of folders and her tablet, her eyes scanning the meeting agenda. Inside the room, she set up the last details: straightening chairs, turning on the projector, checking the numbers on the screen. Employees trickled in, each one looking tense. Everyone already knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant meeting. Thor arrived abruptly. The door slammed open so hard that a few people flinched. He wore a flawless black suit, but it was his glare that froze the room. He looked like a volcano on the verge of erupting. “Good afternoon,” Thor said, his voice sharp with irritation. “Sit. Let’s get straight to