If only Melissa had been honest, if she hadn't sold the bracelet, Marcus could have clung to the hope that she cared for him.

But she let him down and left.

The memories of his time with Melissa felt like a distant dream.

Sometimes, waking up at night, Marcus wondered if Melissa had been nothing but an illusion.

The photo from Leonel was a stark reminder that it was all real.

A faint smile crossed Marcus' face, acknowledging Leonel's ruthless method of revenge.

He was certain Alexis shouldn't know about this.

Not feeling inclined to share this with Alexis, Marcus tried to erase it from his memory, but it was hard. Eventually, he found himself almost resenting Leonel for telling him something like that in the first place.

After dinner, Leonel departed with his wife and daughter.

They had only been driving for five minutes when Evelyn, overcome with sleepiness, couldn't resist closing her eyes.

Leonel glanced at Evelyn in the rearview mirror.

Gently, he said, “Let her sleep. I'll carry her upstairs after we park.

Alexis nodded in agreement.

She softly patted Evelyn, who soon drifted off to sleep.

Alexis then wrapped her in a blanket.

Turning up the car's heater, Leonel drove with a softened gaze.

The years of separation from Alexis, and the time she had spent with Calvin, were painful memories for him.

Yet, because of Evelyn, Leonel had found a way to move past them.

He drove in silence for a while before speaking up again softly.

“Let's use the guest room tonight. We shouldn't disturb Evelyn; she's a light sleeper."