"Hey."
A simple word.
A simple gesture.
But to Alice, it was everything.
Her vision blurred.
Her chest tightened.
Her lips quivered.
Tears swelled up in her eyes—then overflowed.
In that instant, she couldn't hold back any longer.
Without hesitation, she rushed forward.
Her feet barely touched the ground as she threw herself into his arms.
And the moment she did—
She broke down.
At first, it was soft.
A few silent sobs, muffled against his chest.
But soon—
The dam shattered.
And the tears poured like a river in flood.
She clung to him, fingers digging into the fabric of his suit, as if afraid he would disappear again.
Max felt her shaking against him, her warmth pressing into his own.
His heart tightened.
He had expected anger.
He had expected resentment.
But instead—
She was crying.
Crying as if she had been waiting for this moment forever.
Slowly, his arms wrapped around her.
His grip tightened, his embrace firm, steady, and unshakable.
