Celina sat down beside Gabriel. He was the first to speak.

“I know you’ll say you’re fine… but you’re not, are you?” His voice was soft, steady, filled with a gentleness that made it impossible to hide behind façades.

Celina gave a faint smile, her eyes fixed on the floor.

“I’m not crying over him. This isn’t about him. It’s just… it’s too much.”

Gabriel nodded with quiet understanding.

“I never said it was about him. But you can’t pretend he doesn’t still stir something in you, Celi. Everything’s still too raw.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and then she broke down. Gabriel didn’t try to stop her—he simply gave her silence, his presence anchoring her.

The sunset spilled through the windows like a golden veil, painting the furniture in soft, burning hues. Gabriel watched her with that uncanny sensitivity of his, as though he could read beyond words. When her sobs subsided, he leaned in slightly.

“I want to understand what’s going on. What you were going to tell me yesterday.” His tone was