, as if it wanted to break free. The images from earlier that day-Amer, lifeless on the road, the crash-refused

y thoughts spun, panic clutching at my insides. I thought of Vera and Samue

couldn't just lay t

into the night. The roads were empty, just endless stretches of black, and all I could hear was the hum of the engine as I drove

s unbearable. I couldn't let it go. I

he small, dark house. I got out, trying to steady my breath, and walked toward the door. Knocking felt ridi

. His place was empty, dark, silent. Where was he? What was happening?

out as the weight of it all crashed down on me.

ht cutting through the dark, its approach slow but steady. My heart raced as I stood, squinting to make out who it could be. It didn't take long for me to recognize him. It was

ll, how quickly he seemed to have recovere

on. Maybe even... love? The thought struck me like a punch, and I immediately dismissed it. No. That couldn't be it. I

umbling into silence. When he saw me standing there, his s

voice was rough, tinged with somethin

ing that came to mind. "I-I was really worried about you.

ile spreading across his face. "You came here at this hour because you were worried about me? Did I get that right?" he asked,

o fast I almost didn't recognize it. His smugness always did

past him, my voice sharp. "I just wanted to check if

unexpected gentleness. "Okay, okay, I'm joking. I'm sorry," he said, his to

s though it was trying to escape my chest. Why did I feel this way? Why did my body react to him like this, even after

were heated now, and his voice dropped, low and almost dangerous. "Then why are you really here, Nena? Don't lie to me. You think I can't se

y better judgment. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice barely above a whi

tention. My skin burned under his touch, a sharp contrast to the cool night air. My heart pounded, and my br

ldn't keep the trembling out of my words. "This is wrong, Amer. We can't do this. I have Sa

g. "You think I don't know that?" His voice was a low growl now, full of tensio

aying me, every fiber of my being screaming for something I couldn't name, somet

g as I gripped the door handle. The first light of dawn was breaking, casting a sof

e in like a gravitational force I couldn't escape. And yet,

very part of me was alr

d myself drawn to the memory of Amer. It was wrong. I kn

ther's voice echoed through

. When she used my full name lik

stomach. "Yes, Mom?" I asked,

I've forgotten about what happened last nig

d to. "There's nothing to explain. I just felt restless and wen

o, giving me a warning look. "Fine, as you sa

ven started to deal with what had happened, and I knew-deep down-I wouldn't be able to escape it anytime soon. The gui