ALEX.
After that day, Derek didn’t stop. The calls came at odd hours—early mornings, late nights, moments when I least expected them. There were lots of unknown numbers, lots of voicemails I never listened to. Texts that slipped through cracks I didn’t even know existed. At first, I told myself ignoring him was enough. Then it became exhausting. So I blocked him everywhere.
I didn’t hesitate this time. I didn’t sit there wondering if it was cruel or unfair. I didn’t ask myself if he deserved closure. I was done letting his shadow stretch into my present. I didn’t want anything—not even fear—coming between me and Niko.
Still, blocking someone didn’t automatically bring peace, especially not with Christmas so close.
I stood by the window that morning, watching the city dressed in festive
