Olivia’s POV

“What’s the solution, then?” I asked, my voice soft but edged with urgency. Alexander stood across the room, his back to me, gazing out the window. The weight of exhaustion was evident in his slumped shoulders, his silhouette framed by the fading light.

Earlier that evening, he and Mia had returned from their canoe adventure on the lake, their faces alight with pride after catching a few small fish. Vivian and I had turned their catch into a hearty dinner—grilled fish ...