Celina looked away, her chest tightening. She tried to hold back the tears, but they spilled over, silent and unstoppable.

“I didn’t want it to be like this. I didn’t want to cause trouble. I swear. I just… just—” her voice faltered. “I need to go.”

Angélica pulled her into a gentle embrace, the kind that spoke volumes without words, honoring the pain Celina couldn’t bring herself to voice.

“Wait for him to come back, sweetheart. You two need to talk.”

“I can’t,” Celina murmured, her voice breaking. “I just… can’t anymore. I don’t have the strength. Thank you for the welcome, for your kindness… truly. But I’d rather go alone.”

Angélica offered her a ride, but Celina refused with a sad smile. She grabbed her small carry-on and stepped into the elevator without looking back, her heart splintering with every floor she descended.

Outside, the night was cold—but nothing compared to the chill she had felt inside that place.

Minutes later, Thor returned to the living room, his expression sha