David and Carolina stepped out of the house into the warm Miami evening, the sun dipping low and painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. David held her hand gently, his thumb brushing her knuckles as they walked to the car. Carolina was still thin, her steps a bit unsteady from the weeks of recovery, but she insisted on this outing. "I need to feel normal again," she had said earlier, her voice firm despite the fatigue in her eyes. David had agreed, though he scanned the street out of habit, checking for shadows that didn't belong.
They drove to a small Italian restaurant downtown, one with outdoor seating and string lights twinkling like stars. The air smelled of garlic and fresh bread as they were seated at a corner table, a candle flickering between them. The waiter brought menus
