บท 34: The Accident Juncture

Natalie led Alonso to a small juncture in Los Angeles—an overlooked corner in the urban landscape. Once he turned off the engine, all that remained was the hum of afternoon traffic.

"Is this place special to you?"

Natalie's eyes watered but she managed to smile. "This is where I go when things are tough."

His hand gently wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye, and he continued brushing her cheek with his thumb. "Thank you for leading me here. I want to know everything about you."

She kissed the palm of his hand. This was a special place where it was okay for her to be lonely. It felt different with him around, as if the tenderness of his presence might have been what she had missed her entire life.

"…This is where it happened—the accident that took my father away from me."