Alex finally set down his ss and took a deep breath before looking at me with a trace of helplessness in his eyes. "Serena, you''ve misunderstood me. I was... out of line before, but I''m trying to help now."


    He paused as if searching for the right words. "I just think my dad is being


    "Still refuses to divorce her, right?" I finished the sentence for him with sarcasm.


    He didn''t argue. He simply nodded, his brows furrowing into a deep crease.


    His silence was more suffocating than any words. It pressed down on my chest like a boulder, making it hard to breathe.


    Just then, his phone rang, and the sudden chime shattered the unbearable silence.


    He nced at me and muttered, "Sorry," and stood up to take the call.


    I couldn''t make out what he was saying, nor did I have the energy to care. I just


    sat there, absently stabbing at the food on my te with my fork as my mind drifted. My mother''s pale face and hollow eyes filled my thoughts, refusing to leave.


    It was a long time before Alex returned to his seat. His expression was grim as if something was weighing on him.


    I set down my fork and asked softly, "What''s wrong? Did something happen?"


    He picked up his ss and took a long sip of water like he was trying to drown out whatever frustration was gnawing at him. Then, he finally spoke. "Do you remember someone named Lexi Lively?"


    Lexi Lively?


    I froze for a moment, sifting through the fog of my memories in search of that name. It was familiar. She was my childhood friend, and we grew up together. Then, her family moved away, and we gradually lost touch. Thest image I had of her was a little girl with pigtails and dimples, smiling sweetly.


    I nodded. "I remember. Why? How is she?"


    Alex sighed. "You probably haven''t had time to check the news online, have you?"


    I shook my head slightly, admitting as much.


    With everything that was happening,


    I barely had the energy to keep up with my own life, let alone thetest gossip swirling around the city. Just taking care of Mom had left me exhausted.


    He took another sip of coffee before continuing, "She just called me. She saw the


    news online and wants to help clear things up."


    I was stunned. I didn''t know how to react. Lexi? She wanted to help me?


    I stirred my lemon water. The ice cubes clinked against the ss, making a crisp, clean sound that only made the turmoil inside me feel messier. I never expected Lexi to step into this mess.


    "Why... would she do that?" I asked with doubt.


    Alex shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe out of loyalty. You two were close, after all."


    I let out a hollowugh. Loyalty? It had been years since west spoke.


    "Give me her contact info," I said after a moment. "I''ll meet with her and figure out what''s going on."


    He handed me his phone, and Lexi''s number was disyed on the screen.