Dmitri stood by the window of his study, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been pacing for hours, unable to contain his anticipation. Viktoria had told him she visited Elías, and while he hadn't asked her to, the hope that it stirred within him was undeniable. When the intercom crackled to life with Elías's name, he nearly stopped breathing.
He watched as Elías's car made its way up the driveway, his eyes fixed on the familiar silhouette behind the wheel. He had imagined this moment countless times, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of seeing Elías again.
He rushed to the front door, throwing it open as Elías stepped out of the car. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the connection between them, the unspoken emotions that had lingered for so long.
Elías looked different, stronger, more independent. The haunted look in his eyes had been replaced by a cautious hope, a flicker of vulnerability. Dmitri reached out, his hand trembling as he gently touched Elías's cheek.
"Elías," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You came back."
Elías nodded, his eyes filled with tears. "I needed to see you," he said, his voice barely audible. "To see if you've really changed."
Dmitri pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace. "I have, Elías," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I promise you, I'm not the same man I was."