She found herself thinking of how it would feel to be safely trapped in his arms, with no more possibility to choose.

It was strange to find them here, still alive, with their shared bits of past that suddenly counted for nothing.

[Their love] had burned itself out, like a forgotten candle in an empty room, leaving behind a ravenous discontent.

but his eyes were too dark for her to make out any spark in them

She emptied herself of Fabio and of herself, of all the useless efforts she had made to get where she was and find nothing there. With detached curiosity she observed the rebirth of her weaknesses, her obsessions. This time she would let them decide, since she hadn't been able to do anything anyway. Against certain parts of yourself you remain powerless, she said to herself, as she regressed pleasurably to the time when she was a girl.

The love of those we don't love in return settles on the surface and from there quickly evaporates.

With a little effort, she could get up by herself