When Amara opened her eyes, she found herself in the room she had prepared for the special guests. This was for me, she thought, a wave of foolishness washing over her. I’m really stupid.

She glanced around. The room was gloomy despite the soft light filtering through the curtains, and a heavy, almost tangible tension hung in the air. Then she felt it—a gaze. Slowly, she turned, and there was Max, sitting in a chair, his piercing eyes fixed on her.

He looked older, wearier. His frame had grown thinner, and a stubble shadowed his jaw, giving him a rough, unpolished look. Yet his eyes—those eyes—never wavered. They held her with an intensity that sent shivers crawling down her spine.

Amara stared back, her face blank, words lodged in her throat. Silence stretched between them, thick and almost unbearable. Neither spoke. Neither cried. Neither moved. Max waited, perhaps hoping she would yell, curse, or break down—it would have been easier for him if she did. But she remained still, her resolve hardening, her eyes steady as she braced herself for whatever he intended: a confrontation, a confession, or revenge.

Minutes slipped by unnoticed. Slowly, a nagging thirst crept in, drawing her attention to her parched throat. She felt dry, uncomfortable, but said nothing, determined to maintain her composure. Her body, however, betrayed her, each passing second making the need for water sharper, more urgent.

Max noticed. Without a word, he reached for a pitcher and a glass, filling it deliberately and walking toward her with measured steps.

“Drink,” he said, his voice low, controlled, carrying an unspoken weight.

Amara’s hands trembled as she took the glass, lifting it to her lips. “Thank you,” she whispered, barely audible.

Max settled back into his chair, eyes never leaving her. “Are you okay?” he asked, his tone steady but soft.

Amara forced a small, painful smile. “Not really,” she admitted, the word barely escaping her lips.

He nodded slowly, absorbing her pain. “I see,” he murmured, searching for words that never came, the silence between them once again unbroken.