At the pool hall, Alvin took a shot, but missedpletely.


    Oscar, standing nearby, shook his head lightly while wiping down his cue. “Has Zoe not replied to your message or reached out to you at all?”


    Alvin didn’t answer. Oscar lined up his shot, aiming for the trickiest ball in the corner. He took the shot with a sharp thud, and the ball curved gracefully into the pocket.


    “She shouldn’t be acting like this. After everything you said, she didn’t take it to heart or hold it against you. So what’s up with her now?” Oscar was confused.


    Alvin thought back to the time Zoe hade here to y pool. “What did she ask you when she came over?”


    Oscar potted another ball effortlessly, then flopped onto the pool table with casual ease. He aimed for another ball, took the shot, and with a satisfying thunk, it sank into the pocket.


    “I told you already, didn’t I? She asked if anything had happened between you, Thea, and Benjamin back in school.


    “I told her there was nothing to it, so her running off has nothing to do with me,” Oscar exined, passing the me.


    “I didn’t say anything, so why are you acting guilty?” Alvin’s tone was sharp.


    Oscar eyed thest ball on the table but didn’t take his shot immediately. Instead, he turned to Alvin. “You seriously don’t know why she left? Why she didn’t even go with you to get the marriage license?”


    “I don’t know. She’s just throwing a tantrum, that’s all. I’ve spoiled her all these years!” Alvin said, frustration dripping from his words.


    Not getting the marriage license was making everything worse. The moment he got home, his parents gave him the cold shoulder.


    At the office, people were already spreading rumors-saying he’d cheated and that Zoe had caught him. It was absurd how people loved to spin whatever story they wanted.


    “You spoiled her?” Oscarughed. “Alvin, let’s be honest, I don’t think you’ve spoiled her. It’s more like… you’ve gotten used to Zoe being your little shadow.


    “You thought she couldn’t live without you. That’s probably why you said those things and haven’t even bothered to look for


    her.”


    “How am I supposed to look for her? Should I put up missing-person flyers everywhere?” Alvin shot back, defensive.


    Oscar sighed and shook his head, clearly done with the argument. He took another shot and cleared the final ball with precision, finishing the game in one smooth move. His skill as the pool hall owner was evident.


    Alvin grunted, his frustration growing. “Another round.”


    “Alvin, Oscar said again as Alvin lined up for another shot. “Zoe loves you, but her love has dignity. If you hadn’t done something to really disappoint her, she wouldn’t have just walked away like this.”


    “What did I do?” Alvin snapped, visibly irritated.


    “Well, that’s something you’ll have to figure out,” Oscar replied, shrugging. “Sometimes, a missed opportunity can change everything.


    “When you have some time, ask yourself-do you really love Zoe? Or has it just be so familiar between you two that you’ve lost those feelings?


    “And even if you don’t feel the passion anymore, she’s lived in your house for ten years. You should have some sibling bond. You owe it to her to look for her. If something happens to her, you won’t be able to live with yourself.”


    Oscar’s words made Alvin miss his shot again. He angrily threw the cue onto the table and stormed out of the pool hall, his frustration boiling over. He thought, ‘Even a simple game of pool can’t go right.


    As he reached the door, Oscar casually called after him, “By the way, I heard the Hayward family’s son-the one who went missing twenty years ago-has been found. Apparently, he’sing back soon.”


    Alvin furrowed his brows slightly. Oscar continued, “I’ve heard this person is no ordinary character. If you n to coborate with the Hayward family, you’d better act fast before anything changes.”