Cruz sat on the bed in the hotel, her foot tapping nervously against the ground. When she saw you approach, she quickly stood, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets to steady herself. Her usual calm was gone—replaced with something raw, almost desperate.

— “I shouldn’t be here,” She said abruptly, her voice low but tight with emotion. Her eyes darted around, scanning the empty paths, but they kept coming back to you.

She took a step closer, her hand brushing yours for just a moment before pulling back, as if touching you burned.

“I need to tell you something,” She began, her voice breaking slightly before she caught herself. Cruz hesitated, biting her lip, the weight of her secret threatening to crush her resolve.

Her dark eyes met yours, full of a rare vulnerability.

“I didn’t come into your life by accident.”

For the first time, Cruz let you see the crack in her armor. And for the first time, she was terrified of what you might do next.