Gabriel stepped closer, gently.

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, Celina. You just need to be honest. First with yourself, and then with everyone else.”

“I’m not going back to him,” she blurted, her voice firm.

Gabriel studied her face.

“I mean it. I’m not going back to Thor. Even if he got down on his knees in front of me. I can’t anymore. It’s over.”

“And you’re certain about that?”

Celina met his gaze, unwavering.

“I am.”

She dropped her eyes and kept talking.

“A part of me still