Chapter 19

• ALEX
• I find myself standing outside Alice's door, my hand resting on the handle. It's finally time to clear the air between us, but despite knowing it's necessary to explain things, I can't shake this hesitation. It's one of the reasons I agreed to join them on this trip when my brothers suggested it. They insisted that Alice, having recently survived an accident and faced rejection from me, needed some time away from the world, which brought us here. My brothers believed that despite rejecting Alice, I should still be there for her as a friend. They emphasized that true friends are there for each other, especially in tough times. If Alice found happiness, they reasoned, she could recover faster, and I reluctantly agreed.
• Releasing a deep sigh, I finally summon the courage to knock. A heartbeat later, Alice swings the door open, her smile lighting up the dim corridor as she recognizes me.