Gabriela’s first instinct was to scream, so her mouth opened before she knew it. He was faster though, taking a step towards her and covering her mouth with his hand while placing his forefinger against his lips. His touch was gentle and not forceful despite the situation — she could have stepped back and screamed if she wanted, and he probably knew that. But she didn’t.
Instead, her feet buckled, her body finally giving up under the enormous amount of pressure she was somehow holding at bay until now. The pain in her legs and especially in her ankle skyrocketed; the stress from seeing Sebastian and suffering through dinner took a firm hold of her shoulders, pushing her down until she felt she could never get up again. She was distantly aware she was crying again, but her ears were ringin
