Chapter 25: His weakness.

Celine's voice trembled as she repeated the question. "What are we, Ermanno?" Her heart beat faster, each second stretching into an eternity as she awaited his answer.

Ermanno's expression shifted, his eyes searching hers as if seeking the words he needed. "I don't know, Celine," he said, his voice low and grave. "What are we?"

Celine swallowed hard, her own uncertainty flooding back into her mind. "I...I don't know," she stammered, her face falling into a small frown.

Celine's heart sank at Ermanno's words, his sudden aloofness like a knife to her heart. "What do you think we are?" she asked, her voice wavering. "I don't want to be in a place where I'm not wanted or considered important."

Ermanno's fingers brushed over his phone, his face impassive. "We are nothing, Celine," he stated flatly, as if it were a simple fact.

Celine's eyes widened, shock and hurt coursing through her. "Really?”

"Is that how you feel?" Celine asked, her voice cracking with emotion. "I thought we had s