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…”

life was slipping away. Cole knew it, but he couldn’t help wishing she could stay with him a little longer. And

father had.

“There’s still time.”

intertwined, both pretending not to notice that “time” meant less

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

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Chapter 167

called the driver to take Xander home. He and Alessia stood at the

take you home,” Cole said softly, draping an arm around Alessia’s shoulders and giving her hair a

by Eddie’s first–York and

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

his arm.

It’s getting cold at night.”

tugged the jacket closer,

Tates lately?” Cole asked as they

field meet kicks off next month, though. Are

me guess, he talked you into it again? If you don’t want to, just skip it. Don’t let him drive

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