Such fine, dense hair. Edwin is such a lucky guy. She thought.

Alexis, seemingly oblivious to Laura's unease, handed her a cup of coffee, her laughter carrying a note of helplessness.

"Laura, have you never thought about fighting for it?"

Confused, Laura just looked at her, unsure of what Alexis meant.

Alexis, her gaze drifting to the window, seemed lost in thought.

Eventually, she spoke up softly.

"Edwin is in a struggle. He hasn't let go of you completely. He still gets jealous, comes to you in the middle of the night, and thinks about caring for you. If you don't give him a push, how will you know if he wouldn't choose you over everything else? Once he's truly engaged, or married to Vanessa, you'll have no chance."

"I know," Laura replied, her smile tinged with sadness.

"I shouldn't have started anything with him."

Alexis turned to face her, the sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows creating a radiant halo around her.

Yet, Laura saw a profound Loneliness in her. Compelled by this, Laura asked softly, “What about you? Don't you fight for what you want?"

Alexis reclined on the pool table, her head resting on one arm.

She let out a soft chuckle and said, “I'm tired."

She recalled being 20, full of excitement, telling Leonel over the phone that she, too, would be going abroad to study.

His response had been blunt and unexpected.

"Alexis, let's end this."

The idea of an ending seemed absurd to her then.

They hadn't even truly begun anything!

Young and impulsive, Alexis had asked if he had fallen for someone else.

The silence on the other end of the line spoke volumes, though he never directly answered her question.