After a prolonged bout of tears, Ariana gradually composed herself.

She disentangled herself from Holden's embrace, tears still blurring her gaze, staring at him with mixed emotions.

"But you've seen me before. Why didn't you recognize me? It's been five years, and you've never tried to find me," she said, a sob hitching in her voice, her reddened eyes fixed on him.

“And now, what should I call you, Holden or Theodore?" she asked.

Holden clung to Ariana's hand, his gaze locked onto her as if he aimed to imprint every detail of her being into his memory.