Upstairs, Alessia’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before she finally gave up on knocking. She pushed the door open quietly and slipped inside.

The door closed behind her with a soft click.

Cole looked up, his eyes rimmed red, a look of hurt on his face. He resembled a forlorn golden retriever–abandoned yet heartbreakingly endearing.

Without a word, Alessia crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. Cole pulled her close, his embrace tight and unyielding, as if he never wanted to let go.

Just like two years ago, Alessia gently patted his back, again and again, offering silent comfort and support. In that moment, no words could compare to the reassurance of a warm embrace.

No one knew how long they stayed like that before Alessia finally sat down beside him. Their hands remained tightly clasped, as if, for now, the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only the two of them.

“Mr. Dawson talked to you, didn’t he?” Cole’s voice was rough, barely above a whisper.

Alessia squeezed his hand tighter. “He did.”

“Am I being selfish?” Cole’s voice trembled. “I know Mom’s suffering, but I just keep thinking about myself.”

“I know.” I know every thought, every pain you can’t put into words.

“Mr. Dawson said he has a way to wake her up, but after that… there’s nothing anyone can do. When Dad passed, he didn’t say a word. So I thought… maybe I could at least talk to Mom one last time…”

couldn’t help wishing she could stay with him a little longer. And yet he was scared–scared she’d go without leaving a single word behind,

father had.

“There’s still time.”

not to notice that “time” meant

them sat together in the villa for a long while, an oppressive

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14:43

Chapter 167

driver to take Xander home. He and Alessia stood at the door, watching

I’ll take you home,” Cole said softly, draping an

swing by Eddie’s first–York and Ivan are waiting for

a sec.” Cole ran upstairs and returned with a jacket

his arm.

at night.” He wrapped his coat around her

protest; instead, she tugged the jacket closer, letting its warmth

the Tates lately?”

much. School’s track and field meet kicks off next month, though. Are

up for three events–let me guess, he talked you into it again? If you don’t

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