An Emotional Return
After a short while, Alex and Mark returned with noticeably softer expressions. They seemed lighter, as if the private dialogue had released an unseen burden.
Mark leaned in for a hug, surprising me with the gesture. ‘Goodbye,’ he said, and Alex mirrored his father, giving me a tentative hug.
It felt both hopeful and unfinished, like we were testing the waters of reconciliation.