The psychologist answered softly:

“Every fear has a root, Celina. And we’re going to work on finding those roots. But you’ve already taken a huge step today—you spoke. You laid your pain, your truth, out loud. That’s more than many people ever manage.”

Celina blinked fast to keep the tears at bay.

“I don’t even know how to open up anymore. How to trust. But… when he held me today… I felt…” she hesitated. “I felt there’s still something there. But I don’t know how to start. What to say.”

The psychologist gave her a warm smile.

“Sometimes the first step is simply to be present. To stay. To listen. To say what you feel, even afraid. Love, Celina, can be rebuilt too—carefully, like someone laying new foundations after a storm.”

“What do I do now? How do I talk to him?”

“Begin with honesty. Speak from your heart. You don’t need all the answers. He doesn’t either. If there’s respect, affection, and truth, the path builds itself.”

“And if he wants to walk away?”

“Then you’ll know you tried.