The plane touched down at Barcelona-El Prat Airport just as the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Mateo pressed his face against the window, watching the familiar landscape come into view. The Mediterranean coastline, the sprawling city, the distant mountains it all felt like coming home.
Isabella squeezed his hand. "Ready?"
Mateo turned to her and signed, "More than ready."
The first half of the season had been a whirlwind the Supercup victory, the dominant Bundesliga performances, the Champions League battles, the red card controversy, the redemption. It had been exhausting, exhilarating, and at times overwhelming. But now, as the plane taxied to the gate, Mateo felt something he hadn't felt in months: peace.
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