The sun blazed down, casting a golden hue over the beach. Alex stood a few steps behind me, the black bikini contrasting sharply with her sun-kissed skin. Her golden hair glistened under the sunlight, and her piercing blue eyes peered over the top of her sunglasses, focused intently on me. There was a visible hint of unease in her gaze.

Despite her usual stubborn and confident demeanor, she looked out of place and vulnerable. Her posture was rigid, the tell-tale sign of her inner struggle. She was here to apologize, but the words seemed to catch in her throat, leaving her unusually hesitant and stammering for the right thing to say.

Hi, shall we chat? she says.