Perhaps because she just woke up, Alexis was in a tender state and offered no resistance to Leonel's touch.

He leaned in and kissed her.

Alexis said after the kiss, "You seem different today, Leonel."

He simply smiled in response and helped her unfasten the seatbelt.

They'd been together for a long time and had had many intimate nights. But he had never shown such a relaxed and gentle demeanor as he did in that moment. He tenderly lifted her and carried her out of the car.

Alexis was tall but surprisingly lightweight.

She felt delicate in Leonel's arms. As he carried her, it was as if they were transported back to their school days.

One evening back then, sixteen years old Alexis had her first period.

She was aware of what it was, but the sight of blood stains on her school uniform and the continuous bleeding left her feeling embarrassed and frightened.

She was scared.

She hid under a tree near the sports ground and planned to head home once the area was less crowded.

Meanwhile, the Fowler family's driver waited patiently at the school gate.

Leonel entered the car. Once he noticed Alexis' absence, he inquired, "Ross, where's Alexis?"

With a chuckle, Ross informed him, "She called and asked me to wait a bit longer."

Leonel's brow furrowed in concern. He was puzzled by her delay.

He was aware that her class was over. Why wasn't she out yet?

“I'll go look for her."

He stepped out of the car and made his way back to the school grounds.

It was a summer evening.

The setting sun painted the sky in shades of red. The air was filled with the tireless chirping of robins, and the trees were rich with green leaves.