Chapter 94 – The Road Away
It was still dark when Thiago woke up. Not the kind of darkness that meant night, but the heavy, gray kind that came just before sunrise—when everything was quiet, and it felt like the world was holding its breath.
He got dressed slowly. His backpack sat by the door, packed since last night. A plain black duffel bag rested next to it. Marina said he didn’t need much for now—just a few essentials. The club would take care of the rest once he arrived in Germany.
He checked his phone. One message from Marina.
"Car will be there in 30 mins. Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got it handled."
Thiago didn’t reply. Not because he was ignoring her, but because there was nothing else to say.
He stepped into the living room and found his mother already awake, sitting on the couch with a mug of coffee between her hands. She’d put on her nicest blouse, the one she usually saved for holidays. Her hair was tied neatly, and she had even put on a touch of lipstick, though it looked like she’d already wiped at her eyes once or twice.
Clara was on the floor, legs crossed in her oversized hoodie, her face tired but awake. She gave him a small wave, trying to smile.
No one really said anything at first. There wasn’t much to say.
His mother stood up and smoothed out her shirt. "You ready?" she asked.
Thiago nodded.
They hugged. Not the short kind. The long, quiet, arms-wrapped-tight kind. The kind that said everything words couldn’t. He could feel her hands trembling slightly as she held him. He didn’t want to let go.