The hand making circles on his back helps, and his muscles relax under it as he composes himself.

César shakes his head at the question, expression just melting into something sad. "Not even obituaries. Or flowers. Or condolences."

He shrugs without it energy, looking down at his own lap. "Everyone at Providence acted like everything was normal when I was onboarded. I... I didn't want to rock the boat by grieving or addressing my loss. So I didn't. Not until those that might've noticed all left. And then I was too alone to face it."