The café was eerily silent, save for the occasional clatter of cups and murmurs from the few patrons who had noticed the strange tension between Serena, Eli, and Solene—now revealed as Arietta. Serena’s heart raced as the enormity of the moment pressed down on her. The confusion in her mind swirled into something heavier, something darker—anger.
People around them began to whisper, trying to make sense of the situation, but Serena didn’t care. She felt like she was about to explode, the betrayal, the shock, and the weight of her emotions all swirling together into a volatile mixture. She couldn’t stay here. Not with them. Not with the ghosts of Eli’s past literally standing right in front of her.
Eli’s eyes were wide with desperation, pleading with her silently as he reached out, "Serena
