After calming down a little more, Catarina managed to smile at Henri and reassure him.

“You can go take your shower. I'm alright.”

He hesitated for a few more seconds, but eventually nodded. Once he was ready, the two of them said goodbye to his family with warm hugs before setting off toward the village. Catarina's family knew she would come back someday, but they had no idea when. The reunion would be a surprise, and that made her heart race.

As they turned onto the street where her parents l