It hit like an electric shock.For a moment that lasted far too long, they stayed like that—close, exposed. His eyes said more than words ever could. Hers were an ocean of feelings held back.Thor broke eye contact, unsettled. He cleared his throat, and she turned back to the dressing, more serious now, moving faster.“All done,” she murmured.He stood, picked up the tray, and carried it into the bathroom. That’s when the phone rang.It was lying on the bed next to Celina.She glanced at the screen: “Model.” The same model from the video. It shattered the moment like glass.Celina froze.She snatched the phone without thinking. Thor came out of the bathroom drying his hands and stopped short at the sight of her holding it.She handed it back to him, her face already transformed. The softness from minutes ago was gone; only coldness remained.“Here.”He took the phone and instantly declined the call.“Celina…”“I don’t want to watch a movie anymore. I want to go back to my room.”“That

Thor walked over to the window. His voice was lower now, but heavy with feeling.“Raul… isn’t my biological father. My parents’ marriage was a deal between families. But my mother was in love with one of my grandfather’s employees. A manipulative bastard. She gave herself to him, thinking it was love. But what he wanted was status. My grandfather found out and put an end to it. Three months later, my mother married Raul.”Celina listened, motionless, her face pale.“My mother hid the pregnancy. At first, the marriage was a façade. They slept in separate rooms. She despised him, blamed him for the disappearance of that scumbag. Then one day she fainted. At the hospital Raul found out. She was pregnant. My father said his world collapsed. She wasn’t a virgin, she was pregnant by another man, and she didn’t love him. But do you know what he did?”Thor turned to her, his eyes wet but steady.“He took me in as his own son. Out of love for her. Even while being rejected. Even while hearing

The morning sun had barely crept over the horizon, casting a pale light across the frost-covered cabin. The winter air bit gently at their faces, making the bare branches sway as though shivering. The lake nearby lay almost still, a faint mist rising from its surface as if the water itself were breathing.Wrapped in a heavy coat, her hands buried deep in her pockets, Celina walked slowly down the path to the shore. Thor followed in silence, keeping a respectful distance, letting the moment hold its quiet.When she stopped near the lake, her breath came out in a white cloud. She stared at the water. Without turning, she began to speak—her voice low and uneven, as if she were walking through an old room inside herself.“The day I met you, Thor… before that hotel… I was at home, alone, standing in front of the mirror. And I asked myself: Am I still beautiful? Am I getting old? Has he already found someone better?” Her voice wavered but she went on. “César already had someone else. Maybe

Thor and Celina left the hospital. The checkup had gone smoothly—she and the babies were healthy, and the stitches had been removed. Thor drove with one hand on the wheel and the other wrapped firmly around Celina’s, as if that simple touch was the anchor tying him to the reality—and the future—they were building together.Celina, watching the movement of New York’s streets through the window, decided to touch on a delicate subject. She knew it had to be now, that Thor needed to hear it with his heart open.“Thor, can I ask you something?” she said, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze.“You can ask me anything, my love,” he replied, glancing at her with a flash of tenderness.“I want you to think about reconnecting with your mother.”She felt his hand stiffen slightly. Thor drew in a deep breath, visibly uncomfortable.“Celina, that’s not something—”“Wait. Just listen. When Angélica came to me and begged me to walk away from you, she did it thinking she was protecting her son. That i

That morning, the city lay under a thin veil of frost, the early chill settling over everything like a quiet shroud. The mansion where Thor and Celina now lived felt even cozier against the sharp contrast of the winter air outside. In the dining room, the two of them sat together over breakfast—a ritual they cherished more with each passing day.Thor set his coffee cup back on the saucer, exhaling softly before looking at Celina with a calm yet resolute expression.“My love, the next few days are going to be intense. I’m finalizing the transfer of headquarters to New York since we’re making this our permanent home. I need to get everything in order as quickly as possible.”Celina smiled, understanding but also thoughtful. She knew how important Thor’s career was, but she also wanted to make sure he didn’t lose himself in the whirlwind of work.“I understand, sweetheart. And speaking of that, I was thinking... Zoe’s still staying at the hotel. I can’t imagine it’s easy for her, being a