Alexander's POV
Three hours. Three long, agonizing hours, and Elizabeth still hadn't come home. It wasn't like her to disappear for this long, not without telling at least one of her brothers where she was. The boys were pacing the living room, restless, their concern as clear as mine. I sat at the head of the table, my hands clenched into fists on my lap, trying to keep my frustration at bay. The more time passed, the heavier the dread in my chest became.
I looked up at my best friend, Michael, who sat across from me, his brow furrowed with concern. The silence in the room was deafening, interrupted only by the occasional shuffle of feet or a sigh from one of the boys. Finally, I cleared my throat, breaking the heavy tension.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you all this evening," I b
