Chapter Sixty - One

Aidan's mind raced as he weighed his options, knowing the gravity of the decision before him. "Can't we manage there…?" he began, but Cruzita cut him off with a firm shake of her head.

"No," she asserted in a strong whisper. "It's been over 20 years. The building might even collapse soon. Talk to her. Please."

Aidan's gaze flickered to Karina, uncertainty clouding his features. He knew he needed to talk to her, to find a way out of this mess. But as he met her eyes, he couldn't shake the feeling of shame that washed over him. How could he face her after everything that had happened between them?

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew would be a difficult conversation.

"Karina, please," he began, his voice pleading. "Give us time to sort this out. We can't just pack up and leave in such a manner..."

"Such a manner?” Karina interjected. Her expression hardened, and she took a step closer to Aidan, her eyes flashing with anger. "What about when you kicked me out six yea