Gale walked quickly down the dark hallway, his heart still racing. The image of Klaus and Katrina, naked and entwined in a passionate act, refused to leave his mind. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight. Anger and confusion swirled inside him like a storm.
"Gale!"
Diana suddenly appeared in front of him, emerging from a corridor intersection. She frowned when she saw his closed-off expression.
"Is everything okay? You look… shaken."
Before he could answer, Asher arrived with long strides, looking preoccupied.
"Diana, can you help me find Kira? I need her for Miria. Gale, can you stay with Miria in the meantime? She shouldn't be alone."
Gale wanted to refuse, to open his mouth and protest, but Asher's insistent gaze stopped him.
"…Alright," he finally conceded, his voice hoarse.
"Thanks, brother."
Asher and Diana left quickly. Gale stood still for a moment, then let out a long sigh before entering Miria's room.
She was sitting up in bed, staring out the window, bathed in the pale sunlight.
"Gale?" she said, turning her head with a gentle smile. "It's good to see you."
He simply nodded and sat down on the chair beside the bed. A heavy silence settled between them.
Miria observed him for a moment, then tried to start a conversation:
"You know, I was thinking about everything we've been through… How are *you* feeling?"
Gale barely responded, his gaze evasive. Miria frowned.
"Gale… what's bothering you? You don't look well."
He hesitated for a long time, hands clasped.
"It's nothing."
"Gale," she insisted gently. "Talk to me. Please."
He finally broke, his voice low and tense:
"I… I just walked in on Katrina and Klaus. In his room. They were… doing inappropriate things. Together."
Miria remained calm, almost serene. Gale stared at her, surprised.
"You… you already knew?"
"No. But I had my suspicions. Their sudden closeness… it was obvious."
"Huh?!" Gale exclaimed.
Miria shrugged slightly.
"What do you want me to say, Gale?"
"But…" Gale, stunned. "But she's your mother! And she's his mother's age!"
"So?" Miria replied with a small, sad smile. "Need I remind you that I'm dating my mother's ex, who is a hundred times my age."
Gale fell silent, caught off guard.
"When I started dating Asher," Miria continued, "my mother wasn't happy either. She didn't want me with someone so much older. But when she saw me happy… she accepted that I should live my own life."
Gale sighed, running a hand over his face.
Miria gently placed her hand on his.
"Gale… I know you love Klaus with all your heart. If you truly love him, let him live his own love. Among supernaturals, age… it doesn't really matter, does it?"
A smile finally tugged at Gale's lips. He nodded, momentarily soothed.
But that moment of lightness was short-lived.
Suddenly, Miria doubled over. A violent spasm ran through her. She brought her hand to her mouth and spat blood, staining the sheets.
"Miria!"
Gale jumped to his feet, panicked. He caught her as she convulsed, trying his be
st to hold her steady.
"Help! Someone!" he shouted, his voice broken with fear.