However challenging it might be, he couldn't bring himself to surrender.

Alexis stood beside the bed, adjusting her attire, and casually remarked, “Get some rest."

As she left, Leonel gazed at her retreating figure, bitterness creeping into his eyes. He had never felt as much of a failure as he did in that moment. She had been willing to overcome her psychological barriers and become his partner, nestled in his arms, yet he had firmly rejected her.

Leonel couldn't fathom how he drifted off to sleep.

He noticed that the door was left slightly ajar, allowing a faint sliver of light from the ward outside to filter in. It brought him a sense of comfort.