Rafael Salazar

One evening, after he “accidentally” intercepted yet another of her calls, she’d had enough.

“Rafael, you need to leave.”

His eyes didn’t flare with anger, just quiet understanding.

“I was only trying to keep you safe.”

“I know. But I need space to be unsafe if I choose.”

The next morning, he was gone. No goodbyes. Just a note:

“To protect is easy. To let go—that’s harder. Be bold. —R.”