433: The Sting of Truth

The confrontation between Bauer and Alex under the muted streetlights felt more like a battlefield than a mere chance encounter. "Honestly, I didn't expect to see you here. This is a surprise," Alex started, his tone laced with a cold amusement that didn't reach his eyes. Bauer, maintaining a calm exterior, masked the turmoil churning within. "If you think this surprise is the end of it, you're mistaken. So, what do you want, Alex? If it's nothing significant, I’ll be leaving. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that having a meal with Emma changes the nature of your relationship. It’s all just for show." Alex's gaze sharpened, his smirk broadening as he recognized an opportunity to provoke. "If you already know it's a pretense, why does it bother you so much? Could it be that you can’t stomach the idea of Emma developing feelings for me again? Regardless of our arrangement, it doesn’t really affect you, does it? After all, you and Emma have made no real progress. Emma's decisions sh