Suddenly Vanished

Romero reached for Carmen’s hand and his hand tightened around hers. “I’m sorry for being so cold to you. I’ll start treating you right. No more cold words, no more shutting you out. You don’t deserve that. I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can… please, just wake up. Just… please be okay. I can’t lose you too, Carmen. Please wake up,” he pleaded, his voice carrying a promise he hadn’t allowed himself to admit until now.

For a moment, his vulnerability hung in the air, raw and unguarded. But Carmen lay unmoving, her breathing shallow and even. The silence was broken by a light knock. Pablo stepped in, his usual calm replaced by a cautious expression.

“Romero, I’m going to head to the company to see what’s happening there. I’ll come back soon to take you home,” Pablo announced.

Romero shook his head, his focus still on Carmen. “That won’t be necessary, Pablo. Take your time at the office. I’ll stay here with her until she wakes up.”