Nicolas sat alone in his study, drowning in the shadows of a past that never allowed him to be truly free. The room was dim, with only the desk lamp shining on his regretful and exhausted face. Every second was heavy, as if the shadows of the past were gripping her tighter and tighter.

The door to his room opened softly, and Maria, his mother, entered with her usual cold and controlling gaze. She stepped closer to Nicolas' desk, her gaze sharp, radiating the disapproval that had been weighing on Nicolas.

"You're thinking about Celine again, aren't you?" Maria said in a sharp, judgmental tone. "Stop thinking about that woman....