Clutching her bathrobe, she said softly, "Whether you return or not, my parents, Marcus and Elva, they can always find a way to forgive and accept you. Because in their eyes, you're a son, a brother. But I'm different, Leonel. How many eight years do I have to waste?"

“Let's just be family."

Alexis thought that after all those years, there was nothing to forgive anymore.

Discussing it suddenly felt overly sentimental.

She remained composed, but Leonel was burdened with an almost unbearable pain.

He departed, shutting the door behind him, and leaned against her door with his head tilted back and eyes closed.

After a prolonged interval, he descended the stairs and settled into his car.

The driver had left, and Leonel remained seated without turning the AC on.

Resting his elbow on the window, he puffed a cigarette, exhaling the smoke in repetitive motions.

Smoking was the only thing occupying his mind.

Around two hours later, a sports car pulled up, and the sight of the person who emerged caused Leonel's eyes to sting.

It was Calvin.

The young man who had some involvement with Alexis.

What was he doing there in the middle of the night?

Leonel regarded the young man, wearing a baseball cap, and a surge of anger welled up within him. The mere thought of Calvin being close to Alexis infuriated him. It was a possibility he couldn't bear.

Leonel stepped out of his car.

Calvin also noticed him, slightly tilting his chin, and the two men locked eyes in silence.

Leonel's tone was icy.

“What brings you here?"

Calvin had been putting on a front of vulnerability in front of Alexis, but he showed no signs of weakness when facing Leonel. He sneered, “Whatever brings you here, Mr. Douglas, I come for the same reason."