Eloá lowers her gaze for a moment, trying to control the tears threatening to fall.

The urge to throw herself into his arms is almost stronger than her fear.

But there is something inside her now.

A secret.

An invisible boundary separating the before and after of that night.

Taking a deep breath, she looks at him and answers in a trembling voice,

“Gael... you don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand,” he pleads. “Tell me what’s pushing you away from me. Let me help.”

She drops her eyes to he