Footsteps approached from the door, signaling Alex's arrival. Concerned, he had come to check on Penelope after hearing he had left.

Alex had imbibed a bit less. After Zoe's departure, he had retreated to the bedroom for a while, and the alcohol had nearly worn off by then.

As he reached the doorway, Alex glanced at Penelope, who had cornered Zoe. It was as though he had seen a mere wisp of air; his gaze naturally slid away from them, lingering briefly on the nonexistent moon and stars in the sky before he turned and walked inside.

Zoe urgently called out to him, "Alex, come over and help. He's had...