You found yourself alone at the event, feeling like a stranger in a strange land. The brand that invited you hadn’t bothered to explain anything about what to expect or who to meet. They left you adrift as soon as you stepped into the elegant salon. Meanwhile, across the room, Oscar stood surrounded by smiling faces, clearly basking in the glow of his recent victory.

Two months had passed since your separation, but seeing him again was like reopening a wound you thought had begun to heal. As he laughed with his group, you nervously fidgeted — straightening your clothes, brushing stray hairs back into place. It felt almost absurd, like you were a teenager all over again, desperate to seem poised. You attempted small talk with a few people, your words sounding hollow even to yourself, but it was just a distraction. Oscar, for his part, seemed resolute in avoiding your gaze.

Feeling stifled, the salon walls closing in on you, you retreated to the balcony for air. The cool breeze brushed against your skin, but it did little to calm the storm within. And then, as if summoned by some invisible force, Oscar appeared beside you. The weight of his presence was both comforting and unbearable.

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of distant laughter wafting from inside. You stared at the stars, hoping they might lend you some strength, while he stared at the ground as though searching for the right words.

Finally, he broke the silence. “Is this killing you like it’s killing me?” he asked, his voice low but heavy with emotion. When his eyes met yours, you could see it — the pain that mirrored your own.