Chapter 46

Alex:

The weight on my shoulders felt unbearable; the revelation of Julie’s departure left me drowning in remorse. As the morning sun filtered through the windows, my mind buzzed with self-condemnation. I knew deep down that Julie was not capable of the betrayal I had suspected. My attempt to find fault in her was driven by my own insecurities and skepticism.

The living room, where Julie and I had shared moments, seemed haunted by her absence. My brother, still asleep on the couch, mirrored my own uneasy slumber. A quiet unease settled in as I contemplated the gravity of my actions.

Moving to the kitchen, Julie’s mother, Megan, brewed a pot of coffee. Her eyes reflected a mix of concern and disappointment. Sitting down, I accepted the cup she offered, feeling the warmth seep into my hands. The silence hung heavily between us until Megan decided to break it.

“Alex, what happened between you and Julie? Where did it all go wrong?” Megan’s voice trembled with a mother’s sorrow.