Celina arrived at Tatiana’s house with sunken eyes and a weary soul. The bright façade, with its wide windows and carefully tended garden, stood in brutal contrast to the darkness she carried within. Roberto was the first to step out of the car, pulling a heavy suitcase. Tatiana appeared at the doorway, her usual smile fading the instant she saw her friend’s expression.

“Celina…” she said, rushing toward her. “My God, what happened? I’ve been following the Miller scandal—I can’t stop seeing it all over the news. And now, seeing you like this… something serious must have happened. Come, come inside.”

Tatiana pulled her in with a tight embrace. The warmth of human contact made fresh tears threaten to fall, but Celina resisted. She had cried enough.

They sat in the softly lit living room, decorated in warm, welcoming tones. Roberto settled into an armchair beside them, watching with a protective air.

Celina drew a long breath, as if gathering strength to relive the days she wished she co