Kiara felt like an intruder. That moment didn’t belong to her, it never had. There was too much love held back, too much fear shared, for a third presence not to shatter something fragile.
“I should go rest,” she said softly. “And Lissana… I know it must be hard to be apart, but you shouldn’t stay too long. They might not let you return later.”
She didn’t wait for a response. She turned slowly and walked down the hallway, leaving them behind.
The door closed with a soft, almost respectful sound.
Lissana and Eren were left alone.
They remained sitting on the floor, leaning against each other, clinging as if letting go would mean disappearing. Eren’s arms encircled Lissana’s back with a restrained, fearful strength, as if the world could take her away again at any moment. She had her fa
