Manel stood in front of the mirror, her breath shallow, her heart racing. The bathrobe clung loosely to her body, the knot at her waist barely holding it together. She reached up, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the silky fabric. With a slow, deliberate motion, she undid the knot, and the robe slid to the floor, pooling around her feet. The air felt cool against her bare skin, a stark contrast to the heat bu...

The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncertain. Manel’s eyes were distant, clouded with something Chamal couldn’t quite place. He could feel the weight of whatever she was holding back pressing against the air between them, suffocating the room. She’s hesitating, he thought, his chest tightening. He couldn’t bear the tension any longer. “What is it, Mom?” he finally asked, his voice breaking through the stillness...