Chapter 2: The Old Café
Friday evening arrived.
The café looked the same — same wooden tables, same soft yellow lights. But Arian felt like a stranger there.
At exactly 6:07 PM, Sara walked in.
She looked different. Older. Sadder.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
"You left," Arian finally said.
"I had to," she whispered.
"Why?"
Sara looked down. "Because loving you was putting you in danger."
Arian laughed bitterly. "That doesn't even make sense."
"It will," she said quietly. "But not here."