Anxiety creeping in, Marcus started the car and drove away.

Back in the living room, Rena spoke gently. "You really touched a nerve with Marcus."

Waylen sighed, a habit he would normally accompany with a cigarette, but he refrained due to his wife and daughter's presence. After a while, he confided, "When I went upstairs earlier, I found Marcus leaning against the sofa. That look on his face... Rena... it's rare for me to see Marcus like that. He hasn't let go of Melissa or moved on."

Rena nodded, sharing her husband's concern.

Marcus drove to his apartment, lost in his thoughts.

After parking the car, Marcus made his way to the security room located next to the elevator. He offered a cigarette to the security guard and took a drag alongside him. Only then did Marcus casually inquire, "Has my ex-girlfriend visited here in the past six months?

She left something behind when she left."

The security guard immediately recognized the prominent figure standing before him.

Marcus was a well-known figure in Duefron, and the security guard realized he had a unique opportunity to brag about sharing a smoke with him. He concentrated hard, trying to recollect, and eventually replied, "I don't recall her coming by during my shifts. As for the times I wasn't on duty, I couldn't say."

The security guard was forthright in his response.

He continued, reminiscing, “I still remember that night about six months ago, when she left early in the morning. I was on duty that night. She seemed profoundly upset, sobbing incessantly. Her clothes were drenched, and she was shivering. Mr. Fowler, you can't treat your girlfriend like that no matter what. Women are like delicate flowers, finest creations of God. Men should love and cherish them..."

Marcus was taken aback by this unexpected insight from the security guard.

After a moment, he expressed his gratitude to the security guard and handed over the two packs of cigarettes as a token of appreciation.

Marcus then made his way to the top-floor apartment.

It had been more than half a year since anyone had been here, including the cleaning ladies, and the place was shrouded in dust.

Upon entering the guest room, he noticed that the velvet box and the receipt from when Melissa had purchased the pills were also covered in dust.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he opened the box, placed the folded draft inside, and closed it.

Marcus grappled with conflicting emotions.

In truth, he had resigned himself to the end of his relationship with Melissa when she had left in disappointment. If she hadn't sent the draft to him, he might have eventually moved on and forgotten her in a year or two.

Perhaps he would have gone on meeting new girls, gotten married someone suitable, and started a family, gradually leaving the past behind, as everyone did.