chapter 22

Angela POV

I tried, I did. After that night, I decided to give Alex the attention he was craving. We started spending more time together, doing all the things couples do when they’re trying to make it work. We went out for dinner, watched movies, and even took a weekend trip to the coast. On the surface, everything seemed fine. We laughed, we kissed, we held each other close, but deep down, something was missing.

As the days passed, the unease in my chest grew stronger, gnawing at me like an unwelcome guest who refused to leave. It wasn’t just a fleeting feeling anymore; it was a constant presence, shadowing my every thought and action. I found myself overanalyzing every interaction with Alex, searching for the connection we once had, but it always seemed just out of reach. I’d smile when he cracked a joke, but the laughter felt hollow, echoing in the empty spaces between us.

Every time he reached out to hold my hand or kiss my cheek, I felt a slight hesitation, a flicker of doubt tha