Alex stood still for a moment, staring at Ísis, a briefcase in one hand and a shopping bag in the other. She slowly rose from the couch. They looked at each other without saying a word, as though the silence between them carried everything they had left unsaid.

Alex stepped inside, closed the door, and walked toward her.

“I called you so many times…” Ísis said, her voice thick with emotion. “But you didn’t answer. You’ve never come home this late since we started dating.” Tears streamed down he