Chapter 187: A Heavy Heart

Alexander stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie with meticulous care. His reflection stared back at him, but the man in the glass seemed like a stranger—tense, troubled, and haunted by a mistake he couldn’t fully comprehend. His hands paused, trembling slightly, as the memory of that night with Hazel clawed at the edges of his mind. No matter how hard he tried, the details remained maddeningly elusive, like a fog that refused to lift. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. How had it come to this? How had he, a man who prided himself on control and discipline, ended up in such a compromising situation? He could barely recall the events leading up to that night. All he knew was that he’d gone out for drinks to unwind after a particularly stressful day. Hazel had been there, as she often was—efficient, attentive, and always a step ahead in anticipating his needs. But after that? The memory was a blur of disjointed images, fragmented conversations, and then… nothin