Ava let a tear slip free.

“I’m afraid, Celina. Afraid of losing myself. Of forgetting who I am… of no longer being able to achieve my dreams.”

“Dreams change, Ava. They grow with us. And when you truly love someone, they don’t pull you away from your dreams—they help you reach them. Gabriel wants to walk beside you. And you deserve someone like that.”

Ava rested her head against Celina’s shoulder, her eyes closed.

“This all feels so strange to me, Celina… Gabriel, with that way he has, he’s slo