Chapter 1: The Abyss of Loss

Diego's room was dimly lit, only illuminated by the faint rays of light filtering through the closed curtains. It was a perfect reflection of his inner state: dark, subdued, filled with shadows. Since his mother's death, he felt like his life had lost all meaning. She had been his pillar, his guide, and now there was only an unbearable void.

He spent his days staring at the ceiling, reminiscing about the happy moments they shared. Walks in the park, endless talks in the kitchen while she cooked his favorite dish. Now, those memories only brought him more pain.

Diego's family tried to help, but they didn't understand the depth of his sadness. His father, a practical and reserved man, thought that with time everything would get better. His younger sister, Clara, was too small to comprehend the extent of Diego's suffering. And his older brother, Javier, was too busy with his own life to pay much attention.

One afternoon, while Diego was wandering aimlessly through the neighborhood, he ran into Ana. She was a girl his age, with a warm smile and eyes that seemed to see beyond the surface. They had been classmates in high school, but they had never talked much. Ana stopped when she saw him and, without saying a word, she hugged him. It was a long, sincere hug that made Diego feel a small spark of relief inside.

"I'm so sorry, Diego," Ana said, gently pulling away. "I can't imagine what you must be going through, but I want you to know that I'm here for you."

Diego nodded, unable to respond with words. In that moment, he decided that maybe, just maybe, he would let Ana into his life.