Chapter: Faces That Return

It was Saturday afternoon, and the girls had gathered at Alejandra's house. Olivia had messaged them early that day, saying she needed to see them—that she had something important to share. None of them were surprised. Ever since they had read the letter together, they knew that the loose pieces would eventually start falling into place.

"Are you okay?" Merlyn asked as soon as Olivia walked through the door.

"I don't know," she replied, setting her bag down on the couch. "But I need to tell you something... something Marcos told me."

The four of them sat in the living room, holding warm cups of tea in their hands. Olivia took a deep breath and began to speak. She told them everything: the truth about Tom's illness, how Marcos had known, how Tom had chosen to love her without letting fear touch her.

By the time she finished, tears were already filling everyone's eyes.

"That explains so much..." Gloria whispered, hugging her.

"He always knew. He always knew he wouldn't stay," Alejandra said, her voice tight.

"And still, he chose you," Merlyn added. "Until the end."

Silence settled over them. Not an uncomfortable one. It was a silence that embraced.

And then, as if the moment had been crafted by fate, the doorbell rang. Alejandra got up to answer, not imagining that this simple act would change everything.

"Good afternoon," said a voice on the other side. "Sorry, I'm looking for building C, I think I got the wrong floor."

Olivia looked up at the sound of that voice... and the cup in her hands began to tremble.

The guy standing at the door wasn't Tom. But he looked just like him. Same type of face, same height, even the same relaxed smile on his lips. He was wearing a dark jacket that, to make matters worse, carried a familiar scent. The same one Tom used to wear.

Alejandra froze for a moment, then replied, a bit confused:

"Ah... yes, this is building B. Building C is the next one—you can get to it through the side street."

"Perfect, thank you so much," he said with a kind smile.

And just before he walked away, his eyes met Olivia's.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, looking at each other. He had a neutral expression, as if he didn't understand the weight of the moment. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost.

"Are you okay?" Alejandra asked, closing the door after he left.

"I don't know," Olivia murmured, still staring toward the hallway. "He looked just like him. And... he smelled like him."

"Do you think it was just a coincidence?" Merlyn said, sitting beside her. "Or is it another one of those signs life throws at you without explanation?"

Olivia didn't respond. Her heart was racing. It had only been a moment, but something inside her had stirred. A new question, perhaps—or another crack in the reality she thought she understood.

Tom was gone. That much was certain.

But life had just reminded her that the past doesn't vanish. Sometimes, it simply... wears a different face.