[XXXIX]

It was late at night. The big trees outside the window faded into dim shadows in the moonlight.

Zac had come home earlier than usual.

Instead of turning on the lights, he simply stood in front of the window without saying a word.

The windows were wide open. It was not only moonlight that burst into the living room, but also a chilly gust of wind.

"Zac, you're home," Hazel said in a low voice.

Zac didn't respond to her words, nor did he move. It seemed as if he didn't hear her words at all. The curtains fluttered in the

wind, making Zac's tall body look like a dark silhouette.

Hazel slowly approached Zac. It was not until she smelled a light whisky scent coming from him that she noticed the glass of whisky in his hand.

'He's drinking alcohol?' Hazel thought to herself.

Thinking of how she saw Leila having dinner all alone in the restaurant in the afternoon, Hazel guessed that they might have quarreled with each other. And they must have had a big fight this time.