A faint light filtered through the window, dancing across the face of the unconscious young man.
Aiden sat on a chair beside the bed, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped in front of his mouth as if he were praying or pleading.
His eyes watched Areen's face—pale, still, with no movement except for the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Aiden whispered to himself, lacking the courage to say it aloud:
"Why did you do it? Why can't I just leave you alone?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the final seconds—his voice, his looks. Then he suddenly opened them, staring at Areen with a blurred gaze, filled with confusion and anxiety.
Amidst this silence, only the sound of the machine beat with life.
Beep... Beep... Beep...
The House – Evening
Sera stood at her bedroom door, her hand on the handle, her eyes fixed on her mother standing at the end of the hallway. There was no sharpness in her voice, only a slight tremor concealing something deeper than exhaustion.
Sera (in a low, anxious voice):
"Mom... I'm sorry for worrying you today."
She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and looked directly into her mother's eyes, as if searching for a final ray of understanding.
Sera (continuing with hesitation):
"But... what if I knew something? Something important... something that could change someone's life completely? What would you do if you were in my place?"
The mother didn't respond immediately. She looked at her steadily, her features calm but heavy with pain and experience.
The Mother (with firm calmness):
"It's not easy, I know. But no matter how long it takes... you must tell the truth. Because if a secret stays inside you, it will suffocate you."
They exchanged a silent look before Sera turned quietly and entered her room.
The Prison – Visiting Room
The iron door opened with a dry, metallic creak. The man entered with measured steps, following the guard to a glass table that separated him from the inmates. He sat on the chair across from Luna, separated by thick glass with small perforations.
He picked up the mounted phone receiver, staring at the shackled woman before him.
The Man (with a mocking tone):
"I didn't expect to see you here, 'Crazy Luna'."
Luna lifted her face slowly, her hair covering part of her eyes, but as soon as she locked eyes with him, her gaze turned into a blade.
Luna (with a steady, defiant voice):
"Madness is not a flaw, my dear. I was never guilty... I only wanted to protect them. But he... he deceived me."
The Man (his tone suddenly turning stern):
"Aiden... Why?"
Luna's features changed completely. She became cold, frozen, and her gaze turned into a sharp knife.
Luna (in a heavy whisper):
"He told me to keep going... to trust him. He promised... that I would be the one to kill him. Because I am the only one who truly loved him. But he never came. He left me here alone... but not for long."
She leaned closer to the glass, her gaze piercing through the holes as if tearing through his silence.
Luna:
"And you? Why are you here? Found a new victim?"
The Man (smiling a wicked smile):
"Rather... I found a new love. I saw her... and I liked her. Beautiful, different. I have a whole folder of her photos... I love her, but she doesn't even know I exist."