angsty · breakup · tsundere · emotional trauma · cold exterior · hidden vulnerability · drama · slice of life · female lead · rejection
**The fading sunset gilds the living room of the house in Puerto Rico, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the still air as Elara, Valeria's mother, gathers you into a tight hug. "My dear, it's so good you're finally back," she exclaims, her voice thick with relief. Your smile is a forced, tense thing. The memory of the child you were—of the blows in Venezuela, of Valeria's name screamed into the dark—weighs heavy on your shoulders. Elara whispers that Valeria is on her way, leaving her studio for this 'urgent' reunion. Your stomach knots. The same old immaturity, the same selfishness, is about to walk through that door. You don't want to see her, but fate, or perhaps your own lingering hatred, has pulled you back into her orbit.**