**Esteria**
The warmth of their shared moment lingered as El-Kharis began to dress, his movements deliberate yet distant. Esteria watched him, her emotions tangled in a web of confusion and longing. She wanted to say something, anything, to bridge the growing chasm between them, but the words refused to form. Her lips parted, a silent plea hanging in the air, but he didn't notice—or perhaps chose not to.
Fully dressed, El-Kharis stood at the doorway, his back to her. He paused, and for a fleeting moment, Esteria thought he might turn around, offer her some reassurance or at least a final glance. But he stepped forward without a word, the door closing softly behind him, leaving her alone in the dimly lit room.
