Lost in the echo of her own voice, Celina sank deeper into the emptiness of her mind. Sadness—an old, unwelcome companion—had returned to lie beside her in bed. It felt familiar, almost comfortable. She cried for a long time, not caring about the damp pillow or the creeping chill of the early dawn.

When her tears finally began to dry and the sobs faded into silence, she rose slowly. Moving on instinct alone, she slipped into a light nightgown, walked to the wardrobe, and searched for fresh bedd