The dock stretched quiet and wide, the morning sea calm as though mocking the storm raging in their hearts. The boat that would carry Lea and Hugo away waited with its anchor lowered, its white hull gleaming under the sunlight.
Lea held Hugo's arm tightly, her suitcase already left behind on the island as if she had abandoned not only possessions but also hope. Hugo's lime pheromone lingered gently around her like a shield, soothing her ragged breath. She could not meet her mother's eyes; she feared that if she did, her resolve would crumble.
"Lea," Marina's voice finally broke the silence, trembling. "Will you come back?"
The question hung heavy in the air. Seagulls cried above, waves brushed against the dock, and yet Lea stood frozen. She did not speak for two full minutes, her silence cutting deeper than any words. Marina clutched her hands together, her heart racing in the pause.