(Celine's POV)
A gentle, deeply hesitant knock sounds at the door, followed by a quiet, small voice from the other side. "May I come in, Big Sister?"
"Yeah... Come in!" I say, adjusting the warm scarf around my waist to soothe the dull ache of my cramps.
The heavy door creaks open, and Mirael steps inside, with Kiro following right behind her.
The moment her eyes lock onto me sitting at the desk, she completely freezes on the spot, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"Come closer, Mirael," I say, keeping my tone calm but firm.
Mirael gulps, her shoulders tensing up.
Kiro gives her a small, encouraging pat on the back, gently nudging her forward.
She takes a few slow steps toward my desk and stops right across the table from me. I look up at her, meeting her nervous gaze. "So, you met him?" I ask.
She nods silently, her lower lip tucked in.
