In a whisper, she said, “Some people, no matter how hard you try, just can't be held on to. But I'm doing okay now."

Edwin chose not to dwell on the subject any further.

He accompanied Alexis to her Bentley, watching her gaze up at the building one last time.

"Go back inside. Vanessa is still your girlfriend. Try not to make things too messy."

"I understand," Edwin replied, as Alexis drove off.

Instead of heading back inside, Edwin stood outside in the chilling night air, lighting a cigarette.

He needed a moment to think, despite the cold.

Soon, Dylan and Laura emerged.

Edwin's eyes met Laura's in the night, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. Laura eventually lowered her gaze and got into Dylan's car.

Edwin, with a cigarette between his fingers, inhaled slowly, lost in thought.

Dylan got into the car and they drove away.

Edwin watched their departure, recalling his father's comments about Laura having a boyfriend.

"Is she really with Dylan now?" he wondered, contemplating if they had become intimate.

Vanessa appeared, shivering in the cold night.

She saw Edwin, his attention fixed in one direction.

After a long pause, she called out, "Edwin!"

Edwin turned his gaze to her, his expression somewhat distant and cool.

Vanessa, struggling to contain her emotions, confronted Edwin.

“Did you come here just for her?"

Edwin's reply was tinged with indifference.