36. Gabriela
Chapter 36
Gabriela
“S o, what do you want to do for your birthday?” Cora asks, shifting through the display table of the little girl shirts to find Mireya’s size. “It’s next weekend.”
I take the shirts she holds out to me and toss them in the cart. “Do I have to do anything? I really just want to use the day off to catch up on things around the house.”
Mireya giggles from the other end of the aisle, dragging a fuzzy dinosaur hoodie across the racks and tossing it into our cart with an exaggerated flourish. I pull it out noting that it isn’t her size.
“You need to have fun, Gabby! We can do something super chill, like a movie night at your place. Or—” Cora looks up thoughtfully, as though trying to conjure up the perfect plan. “We could go to that new taco place downtown! I heard it’s fantastic.”
I shoot Cora a look, half-amused and half-exhausted by the thought of planning anything extravagant. The last few weeks had been a blur of work, errands, and trying to keep things together. A quiet day at home didn’t seem like too much to ask.
“I don’t know. Mireya might get overwhelmed.”
She raises an eyebrow—her hard gaze narrowing at me. “Is that all?”
I sigh dramatically, but my lips twitch into a reluctant smile. “No. I miss him, Cora. Plus, I’d rather spend the money on Mireya’s birthday. She wants to go bowling. We’re going to do hers two weekends from now, since hers falls on a school night.”
Cora finally finds the right size jacket for Mireya, who takes the jacket and holds it up to her chest with a pleased squeal. “Soft!” she declares. “Mama, I want a sandwich.”
The thought of food actually sounds good, and after we check out, we decide to pick up lunch from the local deli around the corner. It’s a small, family-run café that makes the best sandwiches and smoothies in town.
The small dining area is half-empty when we walk in, the midday lull clear in the quiet hum of the room. As we approach the counter to order, my eyes automatically scan the room, looking for any familiar faces, though I don’t expect to see anyone I know here.
And then there’s Thiago.
He’s standing at the far end of the counter, eyes flickering over the menu in front of him. His expression is neutral, but there’s a tense air around him—something I rarely see. It’s only when he looks up and his gaze lands on me that I freeze, just for a second.
There’s no mistaking it: his eyes widen slightly in recognition. His body stiffens, as though he wasn’t expecting to run into me with Cora. Things were tense between all of us from New Year’s. Even Cora has been distant with Thiago after everything she heard of Nathan’s confession. That night, Thiago told her everything and she kicked him out.
Before I can make a move, Thiago steps to the side, glancing back toward me once more with an almost imperceptible nod. “Gabby,” he says quietly. “Can we talk for a minute?”
I hesitate, but I nod and excuse myself from the group. I can feel Cora’s curious gaze on me, but I don’t say anything as I follow Thiago out into the little side alcove by the bathrooms.
Once we’re out of earshot, he takes a deep breath, his eyes searching mine as if looking for something—maybe forgiveness, maybe something else. His hands are shoved in his pockets, his posture tight with discomfort.
“I... I wanted to apologize,” Thiago says, voice low, hesitant. “For everything. For the way I acted. For going along with all that—” He trails off, his words heavy, filled with regret. “I didn’t know how to stand up for you, Gabby. And I should have. You didn’t deserve any of that.”
I’m not sure what to say at first. The anger I’ve carried for so long stirs, but it feels distant now, like it belongs to someone else. I swallow, trying to find the right words.
“I know you didn’t have control over everything, Thiago,” I say carefully, leaning against the wall. “But you chose to stay quiet, and that hurt more than anything. You could’ve said something. You could have tried to talk some sense into Joaquín.”
His eyes flicker with guilt, but he doesn’t interrupt. He lets me speak.
“I... I get that he’s your best friend. I get that you thought you were helping him cope. But everything that happened wasn’t my fault, and I think you’re smart enough to know that.” I pause, feeling the weight of my words. “I see how much you regret it.”
Thiago runs a hand through his hair, his jaw clenching as he looks at me. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. I don’t deserve it.” His voice is rough, and I can tell this is harder for him than he’s letting on. “But I wanted you to know that I am sorry. I really am.”
There’s a moment of silence between us, a quiet understanding settling into the space where anger once lived. I think about everything that happened—the bullying, the lies, the way they hurt me—and how much I’ve had to let go of. But something shifts in me, too, and I know forgiving him is not about excusing what he did but about letting go of the past for my own sake.
“You know,” I begin slowly, meeting his gaze. “I think you’ve got a chance to make things right. With Cora.” I watch his expression shift, and it’s a little strange seeing him like this—vulnerable and not sure where he stands. “But you’ve got to show her you really love her. Because you do, don’t you?”
His face softens, and for the first time in a long while, he nods slowly. “I do. So much,” he says quietly, almost a whisper, like it’s something he’s telling himself as much as me.
I nod, feeling the weight of those words settle in my chest.
“And,” I add, almost as an afterthought, “I’ll be rooting for you. I can see how you look at her, Thiago. Just... take it slow. You’ve got a lot to prove. I’m hoping Quín can show me he’s the person I need him to be.”
Thiago nods slowly, his eyes soft with something I can’t quite place. “He’s trying, just in case you’re doubting him.”
He looks at me for a beat longer before turning to leave, but not without one last glance in my direction.
“Thank you,” he says, his voice almost cracking. “Really.”
As he walks out, I feel the air between us shift, and for the first time in a long while, I can feel myself letting go of things and moving in the right direction. I know I will never forgive Nathan. That’s just not something I am capable of.
I turn around to find Mireya and Cora standing next to the counter, waiting for me with wide eyes. Cora raises an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
I nod, my heart lighter than it’s been in a long time. “Yeah,” I say, offering her a small smile. “Everything’s okay.”