Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_90
The question hung in the air, sharp and loaded. Alexander’s gaze remained distant, as if the mention of Quinn stirred something deep within him, but he didn’t immediately respond. His eyes flicked momentarily to Oliver, his expression betraying nothing. Spencer, too, seemed to sense the sudden shift in the mood. The playful banter that had defined the earlier moments now felt out of place, like a discordant note in an otherwise harmonious melody.
Oliver leaned back in his seat, watching Alexander closely. His smile had faded, replaced by a calculating look, as if he were testing the waters to gauge Alexander’s true feelings. The room’s atmosphere seemed to constrict, the pulse of the music and laughter around them fading into the background as the conversation grew heavier.
“Are you serious?” Alexander finally asked, his voice low and controlled, the hint of a challenge in his tone. He leaned forward slightly, meeting Oliver’s gaze.
Oliver didn’t flinch. “I’m just wondering. You’ve been keeping your distance from Quinn lately. If she unexpectedly found herself in that situation, what would you do?” He paused, adding, “Would you step up or just let it all slip through your fingers like everything else?”
The question lingered, as Oliver’s words seemed to strike a chord within Alexander. His expression flickered for a split second, the mask of indifference cracking slightly. But just as quickly, it returned, colder than before. “What would you suggest?” Alexander asked, his voice almost teasing, though there was an underlying tension to it.
Oliver smirked, sensing the opening but not quite willing to push too far. He had already gotten more than he expected. “I’m just curious, man. You’ve always had a way of dealing with things your way. But this… this is a different kind of problem.”
Spencer, still somewhat oblivious to the weight of the conversation, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Wait, what are you guys talking about? Why are you acting so serious? It’s just a joke, right?” He laughed nervously, clearly trying to lighten the mood, but it didn’t seem to have the desired effect.
Alexander’s eyes drifted to the glass in front of him, still untouched. He hadn’t spoken much the entire evening, and now, it was clear that something was weighing on him. His gaze softened momentarily before hardening again, the usual confidence of the man replaced by something more contemplative, more uncertain.
“It’s not about a joke,” Alexander finally said, his voice quieter this time. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. “It’s about choices. What we decide to do with our lives… and the people we let into them.”
Oliver studied him for a moment, sensing the deeper turmoil within Alexander. “You’re not the same tonight,” he murmured, almost to himself.
Alexander didn’t respond. Instead, he let the silence stretch, his thoughts lingering on Quinn, on the unexpected turns his life had taken. The thought of a child, of family, didn’t seem as distant now. It was something that had been gnawing at him for a while, something he hadn’t allowed himself to fully acknowledge.
Spencer, frustrated by the lack of clarity, finally stood up, breaking the tension. “I’m going to grab another drink. You guys… figure it out,” he said with a shrug, clearly deciding he’d had enough of the serious talk.
As Spencer walked off toward the bar, Oliver looked back at Alexander, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “You know, you could just be honest with yourself. But I get it, Alexander. You never have been one to show weakness.”
Alexander’s gaze was distant again, his mind clearly somewhere else. “I don’t need to be honest with anyone but myself, Oliver.”
But as the night wore on, it seemed that even Alexander was beginning to question whether his solitude was truly what he wanted.
