Chapter 57

• Zander stood at the edge of the lake platform, his bare feet cool against the weathered wood. The sky overhead was a tumultuous canvas of dark clouds, heavy and brooding, threatening to unleash a downpour at any moment. The air was thick with anticipation, mirroring the turmoil churning within him.
• He closed his eyes, allowing memories to flood his mind. He could see her clearly, vibrant and full of life, captivated under him in this very spot. The way her laughter danced through the air, the way her eyes sparkled,
• But then, a darker memory surged forth—one that haunted him relentlessly. “Help!” Aria had cried out, her voice laced with panic. He could see it all play out vividly: the moment she slipped from the edge, falling into the lake with a splash that echoed in his mind.