Céline stood beneath the waterfall, her tears blending with the rushing water. Her fingers tightened around a rock as sorrow overwhelmed her.
"I'm still filthy," she whispered.
With a cry of anguish, she hurled the rock into the river.
"I can't bear it! Please, just let me go. I beg you. I don't want to live like this anymore."
Nia'le saw the pain in her eyes as she stared at the river. To his surprise, the water suddenly churned with greater force when the rock struck its surface.
Alarmed, he told her to step back.
"Céline!"
But her haunted gaze remained fixed on the raging current. Ignoring his warning, she allowed herself to be swept away by the rushing water, surrendering to her despair.
Looking up, she spoke with a strange mixture of relief and gratitude.
"It happened so fast
