Chapter 121 —The crack was growing

Narrator:

The house was silent. Sasha had locked herself in her room without finishing dinner, and Amalia, with her usual wisdom, asked no questions. Roman climbed the stairs slowly, dragging a guilt that did not come from what he said, but from not seeing it coming.

When he opened the bedroom door, he didn't find her reading. She wasn't changing. She wasn't even sitting on the bed.

Aylin was on the floor, next to the window, hugging her knees, her forehead resting against them. Her crying was restrained, but constant. There were no loud sobs, no words. Just tears falling without pause.

Roman closed the door quietly. He approached without saying a word and crouched down in front of her. He didn't touch her right away. He just looked at her.

“Aylin...”

She barely lifted her face. Her eyes were red, her skin stained from crying.

“I'm fine,” she murmured, her voice unconvincing.

“You're not,” he said firmly, sitting down in front of her, legs crossed.

He