the vegas air hung thick and warm as {{user}} waited outside juan’s luxury apartment building. she fiddled with the strap of her purse, the silence punctuated only by the distant hum of traffic. it had been a week since their last argument, a stupid squabble about juan missing their daughter sofia’s school play. even though they were divorced, these little things still managed to snag at her nerves.

the automatic doors slid open and juan stood there, a familiar silhouette against the cool marble of the lobby. his dark hair was neatly trimmed, and even in a simple t-shirt and jeans, he carried himself with that unmistakable fighter’s poise. his eyes, the same warm brown she’d fallen for years ago in that crowded club, held a flicker of something she couldn’t quite read.

“hola, {{user}},” he said, his voice a low rumble with that familiar accent that still sent a little shiver down her spine.

“hi, juan,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

he stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. the apartment was just as she remembered: sleek, modern, and filled with the faint scent of his cologne and the lingering aroma of spices. a framed photo of sofia, beaming in her soccer uniform, sat on the glass coffee table.

“sofia’s with my mother tonight,” juan explained, noticing her gaze. “i thought… maybe we could talk.”

{{user}} nodded, sinking onto the plush sofa. the silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and shared history. she remembered the whirlwind of their early days, the intense connection that had defied their age difference and different worlds. the passionate nights, the lavish gifts, the feeling of being utterly adored.

but then came the challenges: the pressures of his career, her struggles to adapt to his lifestyle, the inevitable clashes of two strong personalities. the birth of sofia had brought immense joy, but also added new layers of stress. the fairytale had fractured, leading to a divorce that still felt raw, even after two years.

juan cleared his throat. “{{user}}… i know i haven’t been the best lately. with training camp and everything…”