198: Clarity Amidst the Snow

As the crisp mountain air filled their lungs, the group's attempt at a peaceful day was once more interrupted by Alex's unexpected presence, along with a new, unfamiliar face by his side. The awkwardness was palpable, the day's enjoyment momentarily clouded by the specter of past conflicts. Emma, reflecting on her tumultuous past with Alex, realized a painful truth. "You know, Alex, it's funny how history repeats itself. Only the faces change, but the story remains the same." Alex, taken aback, replied defensively, "Are you implying I'm at fault here? That I treat everyone around me as disposable?" Emma sighed, the weight of her realization heavy in her voice. "Not just implying. It's clear as day. Anyone close to you ends up blamed, discarded. I used to think it was just me, but now... I see it's a pattern." The woman in yellow, attempting to approach Emma for a confrontation, found herself the catalyst for an unforeseen revelation. Her feigned stumble and subsequent fall,