LILA

The moment Derrick and Ava were brought back safely, my breath returned in pieces, like someone slowly unwrapped the vice squeezing my chest. Relief washed through me in waves, and the tension I didn't even realize I was carrying finally loosened.

But Rafael didn't say a word to me. Not one.

He wouldn't even look at me, let alone let me near Derrick.

When I reached out, he simply shifted away. Silent. Cold. His entire body screamed don't touch me.

I understood. And still, it shattered me.

In that moment, I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to scream.

He shouldn't have denied Derrick the chance to reach for...