What lies ahead

“You risked your life for her,” I say, my voice quiet but firm as I turn to Alexander. “You almost died, you know that?”

He shrugs like it means nothing. “There was nothing else I could do. Even if it means doing it all over again, I’d still choose to protect Isabel.”

His voice holds no hesitation. No pause. Just truth.

I sigh and look at him for a long moment. “Do you love her that much?”

He doesn’t answer.

The silence stretches, but I get my answer anyway. His silence is the answer.

I nod slowly, turning my eyes back to the park ahead of us. The wind rustles the leaves gently, and for a second, the world feels still.

I take a sip of the juice in my hand, click my tongue against the roof of my mouth, and drop it quietly. “It was a one-sided love.”

I feel Alexander’s eyes on me. He turns his head, gaze locking onto mine.

I meet it with a faint smile. “Yeah, man… Isabel never stopped loving you. Even when she made it seem