The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 391 - 392 : One Last Goodbye (2)

The corridor was quiet.

Too quiet.

Alex slowed his steps as he walked back toward his chambers, the distant echoes of celebration fading behind him. Torches along the walls flickered softly, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted across the stone floor.

Then he stopped.

They were there.

Seraphina stood at the front, arms crossed tightly as if holding herself together.

Ethan leaned against the wall, jaw clenched, eyes dark.

Draven stood rigid, fists shaking at his sides.

Ava’s expression was cold, controlled, but her eyes betrayed her.

Alden stood straight, unreadable.

Alyssa hovered just behind them, biting her lip, already on the verge of tears.

They had been waiting.

Alex looked at them, and something in his expression softened. The confident mask he had worn all day cracked just a little.

"Looks like," he said gently, "I still have one last goodbye to say."

He took a few slow steps toward them.

No one spoke.

They just stared at him.

The silence pressed down hard, thick with things left unsaid.

Alex tilted his head slightly and smiled.

"What?" he asked lightly. "Don’t you guys have anything to say?"

Draven’s shoulders trembled.

He clenched his teeth, eyes burning as tears finally broke free. His voice came out sharp, rough, barely holding together.

"What is there to say now?"

He let out a bitter laugh.

"Damn you, you bastard. Giving a speech like that... announcing everything like some tragic hero."

Seraphina stepped forward, her voice shaking despite her effort to keep it steady.

"Why didn’t you tell us sooner?"

Her fists tightened.

"Do you have any idea how much it hurts to find out like that? In front of the entire world even though we are you friends..?"

Alex exhaled slowly.

"I’m sorry," he said quietly. "I really am. I didn’t want you guys to find out like this."

He glanced away, then looked toward Ethan and Alden.

"But," he added, eyebrow lifting, "I thought those two had already told you."

He paused, then smirked faintly.

"Oh my. Guess not. What a bunch of hypocrites. Looks like they didn’t tell you as I told them too."

Every head snapped toward Ethan and Alden.

Both of them stiffened.

They took a step back instinctively.

Seraphina turned sharply.

"You knew?" she demanded. "And you hid it from us?"

Ava’s voice followed, cold and cutting.

"And Alden, don’t even think about making excuses."

Ethan and Alden both glared at Alex.

Alex met their stares calmly.

Inside, he was enjoying this far more than he should have.

’Worth it.’

Alden clicked his tongue and turned to Ava.

"You’re all missing the point," he said firmly. "He’s the one who betrayed your trust. You should be angry at him. Not us."

Seraphina and Ava froze.

Then they both sighed.

Slowly, they turned back toward Alex.

He was smiling.

Not smug.

Not playful.

Just... tired.

Sadness crept across their faces.

"How are we supposed to be mad at him now?" Seraphina said quietly.

Ava swallowed.

"When that idiot saved all of us," she continued softly, "and now he’s the one paying the price for it."

A heavy silence fell.

Alex slowly walked toward Ava, his hand gently reaching up to wipe a tear from her cheek with his thumb. Her brown eyes, usually kind and caring, were red-rimmed and glistening.

"Please don’t make that face," he said softly, his voice laced with regret. "It was my own decision—for my own satisfaction... and for the people important to me. Like all of you."

Ava’s lip trembled. "But... but... it’s all too cruel a price to pay."

Alex nodded solemnly. "I know... I know. But let me tell you one thing—it will not be permanent. After removing this curse or whatever it is, I will come back. And you guys will get your memories back too."

Seraphina stepped closer, a tear tracing down her porcelain cheek. "And when will that be... huh?" Her voice cracked. "You sure you’re not making excuses... just to console us?"

Alex met Seraphina’s grey eyes steadily. "Of course not. Do you think I’m going because I want to?"

All of them—Seraphina, Ava, Draven, Ethan, Alden, even Alyssa—said in unison, their voices overlapping with weary humor, "Of course you are..."

Alex was taken aback, blinking in mock offense. "How rude... and here I thought you guys were sad for me."

He straightened, his blue eyes softening. "One more thing... even though you guys may forget me... I will still remember all of you. Every moment, every laugh, every fight."

Ava, Seraphina, and Draven broke down harder at that—Ava burying her face in her hands, shoulders shaking; Seraphina covering her mouth to stifle sobs; Draven’s massive frame crumpling as tears streamed down his rugged cheeks.

Even Alden and Ethan teared up, Alden’s spectacles fogging, Ethan’s jaw quivering despite his clenched fists.

Alyssa tried to hide her tears, turning her head.

Alex spread his arms helplessly. "I’m trying to make you guys not cry... but now you’re crying even harder. Didn’t you see? I’m fine, I’m too handsome, talented, great, and all... or maybe Ava and Seraphina have some hidden feelings for me."

Ava and Seraphina stiffened, then stifled laughs through their tears, a spark of lightness breaking through.

Both suddenly clutched him tighter, enveloping him in a fierce group hug—Ava’s arms around his waist, Seraphina’s around his neck, their warmth pressing close.

Seeing that, Alden and Ethan’s mouths twitched while they fought back tears, envy mixing with grief.

Ethan grumbled, "This guy, even in this situation, acting annoying—flirting with our girlfriends and all."

Alden nodded, wiping his eyes. "Let him have it... one last time."

Draven, Ethan, and Alden moved to join the hug, arms extending.

Suddenly Alex said in a loud voice, "Keep your filthy hands away from us! No hugs for you guys—and it’s not like I’m going forever, so save your bromance for another time."

Draven, Ethan, and Alden’s expressions shifted to pure annoyed scowls mid-step.

They couldn’t believe what they had just heard, their expressions clearly showing their annoyance.