The silence stretched between them, thick but not uncomfortable.
The ship continued its steady advance, waves breaking softly against the hull as if the sea itself had decided to behave—for now. Noel remained leaned against the railing, eyes on the dark water below, letting Roberto's words settle without rushing to fill the space.
"You don't have to decide tonight," Noel said at last, voice calm. "Whatever it is… choices like that shouldn't be rushed."
Roberto let out a slow breath through his nose. "If only it worked like that."
Noel glanced at him. "What do they want from you?"
Roberto hesitated, then shrugged, gaze dropping to the deck as if the answer were obvious.
"They want me to choose," he said. "To finally stop standing in the middle."
"Family?" Noel asked, gently.
Roberto nodded once. "Yeah."
He scratched the back of his neck, expression tightening just a little. "Two people I care about. Both convinced they're right. Both convinced the other one crossed a line."
