Chapter 77 – From the Heart
The Next Morning – Carrington Training Ground.
The sky over Manchester was grey, heavy with clouds that hadn't rained yet but threatened to.
The mood inside the training facility was no different.
The players arrived one by one. No jokes.. Even the usual clatter of boots on tile was quieter than normal.
Demir leaned toward Valverde near the gym hallway.
"Nathan's not himself…" he whispered. "He hasn't spoken since yesterday."
Valverde looked toward the coffee room, brows furrowed.
He didn't say anything.
Inside, Nathan stood by the coffee machine, waiting for it to finish grinding.
His eyes were empty. Dark bags beneath them. He didn't even flinch when Valverde stepped beside him.
The older midfielder took a sip from his own cup, watching Nathan from the corner of his eye.
"You know," he began quietly, "you don't have to carry the world alone."
Nathan didn't answer.
Valverde leaned against the counter.
