After the conversation they had, the atmosphere between Henri and Catarina turned colder than the summit of Everest. Every time they crossed paths in the resort's hallways, she made a point of keeping her distance, limiting herself to a polite nod or, when there was no way around it, exchanging only what was strictly necessary about work.

To her, behaving that way was a form of self-protection. To him, every silence was a punishment. Henri felt the weight of that indifference like a daily blow.