He didn’t run. He disappeared while standing still.

——

Alexander's PoV

“Today is a good day,” I said, voice flat, dragging a hand over my face.

It was a lie. And I was tired of lying— to myself most of all.

The cold water slammed against my back like punishment. I let it. Maybe I deserved it—for letting things get this far. For saying yes when I wanted to burn everything down.

I toweled off, distracted, the knot in my stomach only tightening with every passing moment.

My phone buzzed—emails. Work. Finally, something predictable. I welcomed it. Fingers flying across the screen. Controlled. Efficient. Detached.

Everything I was raised to...