Chapter one hundred twenty two

Marcus's Guilt – A Conversation by the Sea

The party had long since lost its appeal to Marcus. The music was too loud, the laughter too forced, and the crowd too suffocating. So, he slipped away to the quietest corner of the beach, where the only sounds were the gentle crashing of waves and the distant chatter of partygoers.

Seated on the damp sand, he took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling into the night air. His mind was a mess, but the one thought that kept circling back was Alina.

Her coldness towards him had completely shattered him.

It was eating him alive.

"Marcus."

He turned his head and saw Joe walking toward him, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"What's up?" Marcus mumbled, shaking Joe's hand as his friend plopped down beside him.

Joe wordlessly took the cigarette Marcus offered, taking a deep drag before passing it back.