Celina jumped in her seat, her mouth falling open. Gabriel felt her hand squeeze his tightly. He held it firmly, steadying her with his touch.

The voice on the other end repeated:

“Hello? Who’s speaking?”

Gabriel’s silence was deliberate. He wanted to hear, to feel, to read the tone. But there wasn’t much time.

Thor’s voice came again, curt and sharp:

“Hello? Who’s speaking?”

When no one answered, Thor abruptly hung up. The silence inside the car was pierced only by Celina’s quickened breathing. For a second, she looked as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Her eyes widened, and she gripped Gabriel’s hand even tighter, as though it were the only thing anchoring her to reality. Her voice came weak, trembling, nearly a whisper strangled by pain:

“He… he answered, Gabriel… he answered! Why didn’t he speak to me? Why is he ignoring me? What’s happening?”

Gabriel swallowed hard. He already understood. And now, more than ever, he knew Celina needed grounding. She needed care. P