Alexandre stood there, paralyzed, as the minutes ticked by. He couldn't bring himself to move, to leave the spot where he had last seen Lena. The waves continued their relentless pounding, a reminder of the passage of time, of the opportunities lost.
Finally, with a heavy heart, he turned and walked away, the sound of the waves fading into the distance. He didn't look back, couldn't bear to see the place where he had let Lena go, again.
As he wandered through the empty streets of Síallòn, he felt the weight of his past mistakes bearing down on him. He had thought he could escape the pain by leaving, by starting anew, but it had followed him, haunting him like a ghost.
He stopped at a small café, seeking refuge in the warmth and the hum of human activity. The aroma of coffee and baked goods enveloped him, but even the familiar comforts couldn't lift the gloom that had settled over him.
Alexandre ordered a coffee and sat at a corner table, his eyes fixed on the steam rising from the cup. He felt like he was drowning, suffocating under the weight of his regrets.
The café owner, a kind-eyed woman noticed his distress and approached him. "Monsieur, are you okay? You look like you've lost your last friend."
Alexandre forced a smile, trying to brush off the concern. "Just a long day, Madame. I'll be fine."
She nodded sympathetically but lingered for a moment, her eyes searching his face. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here. Sometimes, sharing the burden can help ease the pain."
Alexandre nodded, grateful for her kindness, but he knew he couldn't share his thoughts, not yet. He wasn't ready to confront the ghosts of his past, to face the pain he had caused.