I struggled with the language, the directions, the nerves. But I pressed on, heart pounding with hope.

When I finally arrived and called out his name, Juan looked… confused. “Oh! It’s you,” he said, unsure. He didn’t even remember my name at first. I laughed it off, hoping he was just caught off guard.

Inside, things felt more familiar. We had wine, talked, and for a moment it felt like the connection was real again. He set me up in a guest room. I went to bed imagining a new beginning.

But I had no idea what was coming next.