Lance stood outside Edwin's bedroom door, his hand poised to knock. The silence from within was deafening. After several attempts with no response, he took a deep breath and gently turned the doorknob, pushing the door open.
The sight that greeted him made his heart constrict painfully. Edwin sat curled up on the bed, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand like a lifeline. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls, mirroring the darkness that seemed to have enveloped his spirit.
Lance felt an overwhelming urge to rush to Edwin's side, to gather him in his arms and promise that everything would be alright. But he knew that wasn't what Edwin needed right now. Instead, he quietly made his way to the plush armchair in the corner of the room, sinking into it as he pr
