Chapter 80

Alex’s POV

Sitting in my office, I felt a heavy weight of demotivation settling upon me. The recent revelation of Elera’s death had left me shattered, my spirit dampened by the cruel reality of loss. I stared blankly at my desk, lost in a sea of emotions.

It was in this moment of desolation that Jax, my ever-optimistic colleague, entered the room. He approached me with a file in his hand, his usual smile attempting to breach the fortress of my sorrow. He placed the file on my desk and spoke with a mixture of sympathy and determination. “Hey, buddy, I know it’s been tough for you. But this is our new case, and I believe it could be a game-changer. You’re needed on this one.”

I looked up at Jax, my eyes reflecting a weariness that ran deeper than mere exhaustion. “Thanks, Jax, but I think I’m good. I need some time to process everything that’s happened. I can’t just dive into another case right now.”

Jax’s face softened, understanding etched in his expre