The black sedan moved smoothly through the gates of Davidson Manor and stopped in front of a detached villa.
This had been his and Danielle’s marital home. Since the divorce, he had continued to live here alone.
Nash unbuckled Alexander’s seatbelt and was about to help him out.
“I can manage,” Alexander said, waving him off.
He walked into the house alone.
Their wedding portrait still hung on the wall. In the photo, Danielle was smiling, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she leaned against him, her gaze full of trust.
On the sofa sat a stuffed rabbit that Niki had played with as a toddler. Its ears were worn, but it was placed carefully in the most prominent spot.
But in the vast, empty house, the only sound was the echo of his own footsteps, amplifying the chilling silence.
He sat on the sofa, his eyes fixed on Danielle’s smiling face in the portrait, his fingers unconsciously tracing the armrest.
“Still looking at it?”
A woman’s voice from the doorway broke his reverie.
Alexander looked up to see Rebecca walking in, carrying a pharmacy bag, her expression as serious as ever.
“You’re here,” he said, his voice flat as he looked away from the photo.
Rebecca walked over, placed the bag on the coffee table, and took out a box of pills and a glass of water. “This is for your follow-up care. Three times a day, after meals. Don’t forget again.”
Alexander took the box, popped out a few pills, and swallowed them with the water. “I know. Thank you.”
Rebecca watched him, frowning. He treated himself with such reckless disregard.
Rebecca stood up, seeing his deliberate avoidance. He was dismissing her, and she knew the conversation was over.
“No need. I can get home myself.”
Her gaze swept over the living room, lingering on the wedding portrait and Niki’s toy. As she was about to leave, she glanced back at Alexander, sitting all alone on the sofa, and a pang of sorrow went through her.
“Alexander, don’t be so stubborn,” she said, turning back one last time. “There are a lot of people who want you to be okay. Danielle might not say it, but she’s been worried about you. And Niki is still waiting for her father to come back.”
“Nash and I, and all those people at your company and the guild—none of us want to see something happen to you.”
Without another word, she left, closing the door softly behind her.
The villa was silent once more, leaving Alexander utterly alone.
He closed his eyes, his breathing heavy. With great power came great responsibility.

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