Jamison frowned and said, "Painkillers aren't cutting it anymore. If you keep this up, your leg's going to be useless.”

Leonel knew that meant he'd be in a wheelchair for life.

But at this point, he didn't really care. *

Time slipped by.

Leonel would occasionally run into Alexis. Sometimes at parties, sometimes because of their kids.

Most times, he was in his wheelchair.

Leonel had stopped avoiding Alexis. He often had Hester with him, which seemed to give him some courage facing Alexis when she was around.

Since the divorce, their meetings were always cordial but distant.

Leonel figured that was best for everyone.

As summer drew to a close, Alexis showed up with someone new. The guy was good-looking and had an air of respectability.

Leonel knew the guy was someone the Fowler family had set her up with. Alexis wasn't saying no to dating anymore.

She had started seeing him.

Her style became more polished and her makeup was always on point.

Alexis started looking at Leonel with a cool gaze, like he was just another face in the crowd.

Any warmth or affection she once had for him was long gone.

This hit Leonel hard.

But he knew it was part of setting her free.

He wanted her to move on and find happiness, even if it tore him apart.

He found himself drowning in a sea of gratitude and pain, leading to some heavy drinking.

Noreen had to check on him often, worried he might do something reckless. She figured her boss could use some therapy.