Chapter one hundred twenty

A Painful Distance

After the confrontation at the bonfire and the conversation with Dana, Alina withdrew from everything.

She needed space, and she took it—focusing solely on her upcoming exams.

Her relationship with Marcus suffered the most.

She refused to speak to him, only slipping a single note under his door:

"I need time and space."

Marcus read those words over and over, feeling a sharp sting of frustration and regret.

He had tried—many times—to talk to her, to explain, to work things out.

But Alina wouldn't let him.

She was hurt, and deep down, he understood why.

He hadn't stood by her side when she needed him most.

And even if he wanted to believe her, the evidence had been stacked against her.