章 252: Escape plan

Gina paced nervously in the living room, her mind a storm of guilt and bitterness. When the door finally opened and Claudia stepped inside, her breath hitched. Relief flickered across her face. Her feet moved instinctively toward Claudia but froze mid-step as the flood of memories of their heated arguments filled her mind. The sting of abandonment still lingered. Her expression hardened, resentment bubbling to the surface.

Claudia, standing just inside the doorway, felt the weight of Gina's gaze. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, she wanted to close the distance, embrace Gina, and soothe the guilt that clearly tormented her. But when Gina's eyes flicked away and she turned aside, the moment shattered. The cold wall between them loomed large.

Gina's bitter words from their last argument rang in her ears. The courage to step forward abandoned her, and she stayed rooted in place.