Chapter 131 Chaos

• Doctor Jamal sat back in the plush leather chair of the exclusive VIP lounge, his second glass of whiskey untouched in front of him. The bar’s dim lighting and smooth jazz played in the background, but it did little to soothe the heavy ache that sat in his chest. It was the same every year—this day dragged him back into the past, into memories he couldn’t outrun, no matter how far he went or how hard he tried to distract himself.
• The sound of laughter interrupted his brooding thoughts. He looked up as his best friend, Khalid, walked into the lounge with his usual energy, his tailored suit sharp and a mischievous grin plastered across his face.
• “Jamal,” Khalid said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You look like hell, man.”