Rena's tears welled up, unspoken remorse flooding her heart.

Waylen put out the cigarette and handed her a tissue.

"Don't cry!"

Rena wiped away her tears, but more came rushing down her cheeks.

Unbeknownst to her, Alexis had endured countless moments of isolation in her own world with only Waylen by her side. Rena had been oblivious, lost in her own world in Rouemn.

Her eyes squeezed shut, Rena sought to collect herself, to find a glimmer of strength.

Waylen, ever perceptive, respected her need for space and time to process her emotions.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rena managed to regain a sense of composure.

Waylen gently clasped her hand, his voice tender and reassuring.

“Rena, it's not your fault."

Later that afternoon, Rena's phone buzzed, and it was Waylen on the other end of the Line.

His voice, calm and steady, pierced through Rena's thoughts.

"Rena, come to the villa."

Startled by his unexpected request, Rena's hands trembled, causing hot coffee to spill onto the back of her hand. The pain momentarily forgotten, she swiftly hailed a taxi, her heart racing as she headed to Waylen's villa.

The atmosphere within the villa was heavy with unspoken emotions.

The servants moved with utmost caution, aware that Alexis had retreated into her own world upon’ returning from the kindergarten. She had sought refuge in the confines of a small wardrobe, and Waylen had rushed back from work to be with her, their silent company an unspoken solace.

Rena ascended the stairs, her steps quick but careful. A soft-spoken servant showed her the way.

“Mr. Fowler and Miss Lexi are upstairs."

With bated breath, Rena pushed the door to Alexis' room open, her eyes widening at the sight before her.

Alexis, hidden within the depths of her pink wardrobe, clutched her teddy bear tightly, her voice lost in the depths of silence.

Waylen, dressed impeccably in a formal suit, sat beside her, stooping low within the cramped space. In his hands, he held a worn fairy tale book, reading the familiar stories to Alexis with unwavering devotion.

Upon Rena's entrance, Waylen's gaze briefly flickered in her direction, his focus soon returning to the pages of the book, resuming the tales he had read countless times before.