Alexandra and Louis slipped away to the sun deck, seeking some quiet away from the madness. As they walked up the steps, the warm breeze curled around them and the sounds from below slowly faded.

Louis dropped down onto the cushioned seat and looked up at Alexandra with a lazy smile, patting the space beside him. "C'mere," he said, his voice low and comforting.

Alexandra grinned, already moving toward him. She nestled in close, his arm coming around her shoulders as she laid her head on him, her hand resting lightly on his chest. They sat in silence for a moment, just listening to the faint background hum of the villa and the distant waves crashing.

"So," she said softly, tilting her face up toward him, her eyes playful. "Did you like my speech?"

Louis gave her a long, teasing pause, his mouth twitching at the corners. "Hmm. It was... okay."

She narrowed her eyes and smacked his thigh with the back of her hand. "Excuse me?" she said, laughing.

He chuckled, catching her hand and holding it gently. "Alright, alright," he relented, turning to kiss her forehead. "I loved your speech. It was perfect. You actually made me sound like a good guy."

She smirked, pulling back a little so she could see his face better. "I didn't lie though. You've been on your best behavior."

"That's 'cause you scare me," he said with a wink, and she burst into giggles, leaning into him again.

For a moment, Louis went quiet. She could feel his chest rising and falling slowly under her hand, and she tilted her head up just slightly when she sensed the change in him.

"I..." he began, his voice softer this time. "I feel like... at the moment, I wanna be closed off."

Alexandra blinked, her heart giving a surprising jolt. She pulled back to look at him properly, her eyes wide and her mouth parting into the biggest smile. "Wait, really?"

He nodded, his brows raising slightly. "Yeah. I mean, I know we're still in this villa and anything can happen, but I know how I feel about you. I just wanna know if you feel the same."

She didn't hesitate. She nodded quickly, that smile never leaving her face. "I do. I definitely do."

Louis gave her a look, skeptical but amused. "You sure?"

"So sure," she said firmly, wrapping her arm around his waist. "You're literally my favorite person in here. I don't want anyone else."

He grinned, shaking his head slightly. "You're gonna make me soft."

"Too late," she teased.

CONFESSIONAL

"Being closed off with Louis, I'm actually just so happy right now."

He leaned down then, brushing his lips against hers, slow and intentional. The kiss deepened as Alexandra pulled him closer, her fingers curling into the material of his shirt. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't for show. It was gentle, real, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world fell away.

When they finally pulled apart, Alexandra tucked herself into his side again, her face buried into his shoulder. "This doesn't even feel like a reality show right now."

Louis let out a quiet laugh, rubbing her arm with his thumb. "Yeah. Feels a bit too good to be TV."

"You think people are rooting for us?" she asked.

"Obviously," he said. "I mean, we have the best gossip sessions, the steamiest sauna moment, and I make you smoothies. We're a power couple."

Alexandra laughed, lifting her head to look at him again. "You forgot most chaotic."

"That too."

They sat in the silence for a bit longer, the occasional laugh from the villa below drifting up to them. But in their little bubble, it felt peaceful.

The girls were in the changing room, winding down from the night and getting ready for bed. The air buzzed with leftover excitement from the recoupling. Alexandra stood in front of the mirror, twisting her hair into a bun.

"Okay, so... Louis asked me to be closed off," she said casually, trying to hide the huge grin on her face.

Liv's head snapped up from her skincare routine. "Wait, what?"

Alexandra turned to face them fully, smile breaking through. "Yeah. After the recoupling. On the sun deck. It was kind of perfect."

"Oh my God!" Serena clapped her hands and jumped up, throwing her arms around Alexandra in a big hug. "I'm so happy for you! That's so cute."

Leah beamed. "You guys are, like, the mom and dad of the villa now."

Alexandra laughed, pulling back from Serena's hug. "Having the two youngest people here be the mom and dad is actually crazy work."

Across the room, Jana looked over at Leah, who was tapping concealer under her eyes.

"Girl," Jana teased. "Are you putting on makeup for bed?"

The girls erupted in laughter as Leah held up her sponge defensively.

"No, I just... I want to look cute falling asleep, okay?" she said, giggling.

"She's in loveeee," Kaylor sang, leaning against the counter.

"She's smitten," Alexandra added, smirking. "And I support it."

The bedroom was dimly lit, a warm glow from the ambient lights helping the Islanders settle into the end of the night. Alexandra looked around, noticing her bed with Louis was still empty.

"Where is he?" she murmured, glancing toward the patio door.

As she approached the bed, the door opened quietly behind her. Louis walked in, holding two water bottles, one pink, clearly hers.

"Looking for me?" he asked with a lopsided grin.

Alexandra smiled, walking over to meet him. "I knew you were up to something."

He handed her the water bottle and leaned down to kiss her cheek before crawling into bed. She climbed in after him, opening her arms as he nestled into her side.

"Come here," she whispered, wrapping herself around him like a blanket.

Louis chuckled. "Someone's happy."

She kissed his face repeatedly, small pecks all over his cheeks and jawline. "Someone is me."

He shifted to face her properly, brushing her hair back. "I wasn't sure if you'd say yes, you know. To being closed off."

Alexandra scoffed. "You serious?"

"Kinda," he admitted. "I mean, we joke and mess around, but I wasn't sure if you were ready."

She held his face, gently pressing her forehead to his. "I've been ready. You just had to ask."

His hand drifted to her waist, fingers curling lightly around her hip as he leaned in to kiss her. It started soft, but deepened quickly, their chemistry crackling like static in the still room. She shifted closer, one leg hooking over his as their lips moved together.

His kisses moved slowly from her lips to her jaw and down to her neck, and she let out a quiet laugh, breath catching.

"You're gonna get us kicked out the villa," she whispered.

Louis chuckled, lips still brushing her skin. "They'd have to catch us first."

She giggled, pulling the covers over their heads playfully. "Then shut up and kiss me."

She lets out a soft breath as his hands settle on her hips, fingers pressing into the curve of her waist before sliding lower, gripping her thighs and pulling her closer. Their bodies press together beneath the covers, warm skin against warm skin, the tension between them pulsing like a heartbeat.

Louis smirks against her lips, murmuring, "Told you... someone's happy tonight."

Alexandra grins, her voice low and teasing. "I could say the same about you."

She shifts slightly, straddling him under the sheets, her legs wrapped around his waist. The fabric of her sleep shirt rides up just enough to make the air between them spark. He runs his hands slowly up her sides, under the hem of her shirt, tracing the soft skin of her back.

"I've been waiting to do this all day," he says, his voice husky.

"Oh yeah?" she whispers, leaning down to kiss the edge of his jaw, then his neck, taking her time. "You liked the speech that much?"

"I liked everything about today. But this—" he pauses as she trails kisses across his collarbone "—this might be my favorite part."

Her hands explore his chest as she pulls back just slightly, eyes locking with his. There's heat in his gaze, but something else too, a tenderness, a kind of wonder, like he still can't believe she's actually his.

His hands roam again, sliding down her waist, tugging gently at the waistband of her shorts, and she doesn't stop him. She watches his expression carefully, the way he looks up at her, waiting for a sign, and when she nods ever so slightly, he exhales like he's been holding his breath.

Under the sheets, movements grow more deliberate. Her shirt is halfway off when she whispers, "Wait—what if the others hear?"

Louis chuckles, brushing her hair back. "I don't care. Let them."

She laughs, trying to muffle it against his shoulder. "You're such a menace."

"You're the one who started kissing my whole face five minutes ago," he shoots back playfully, making her giggle.

But the teasing fades fast as their bodies fall into rhythm, the kind of closeness that doesn't need words. There's a slow build in the way their hands move, the way their breathing syncs, every small movement sparking more heat between them.

It's not rushed, not clumsy, just two people completely lost in each other, in their own little world despite the dozen others sleeping just feet away.

At one point, she cups his face in her hands, forehead pressed to his, whispering, "I really like you, you know."

He looks up at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a soft, drowsy smile. "I know. I really like you too."

Eventually, the heat between them simmers into something quieter. She curls up against his chest, their legs tangled, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his skin.

"Can we sleep like this every night?" she murmurs.

Louis kisses the top of her head, already half-asleep. "Yeah... every night."

The morning sun seeped into the villa as the lights flickered on, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. Groans and soft sighs filled the air as the islanders stirred beneath their duvets. Alexandra was one of the last to move, burying herself deeper under the covers as the brightness reached her eyes. She groaned softly, tugging the blanket over her head in protest.

Louis sat up with a quiet laugh, ruffling his hair before glancing down at the bundle of covers beside him. "Morning, people," he called out to the rest of the room, his voice chipper. A few sleepy replies echoed back as the other boys began to rise and stretch.

He turned to Alexandra, gently lifting the edge of the blanket to reveal her squinting eyes. With a soft smile, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "C'mon, sleepyhead. Time to get up and start getting ready."

"No," she muttered, her voice muffled.

Louis chuckled. "Didn't you say last night you were going to wash your hair today?"

She groaned again.

"Babe, you literally said, 'Remind me tomorrow to wash my hair in the morning.' This is me reminding you," he said, raising his brows. "Come on. Do it now while everyone's off making breakfast. I'll help."

Alexandra hummed, letting his offer settle in. After a moment, she sighed and slowly pushed the blanket off. "Fine. Only because you're helping."

They made their way to the bathroom, still half-asleep, their hands brushing occasionally. Inside the steamy room, she glanced up at him with a raised brow. "You coming in with me, then?"

Louis nodded. "Of course. You think I'm gonna trust you with shampoo logic this early in the morning?"

Alexandra rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.

Under the warm spray of the shower, Louis gently helped lather her shampoo, massaging it into her scalp with soft fingers. Alexandra stood still, eyes closed, letting herself relax under his touch. It was intimate in the quietest, sweetest way, no need for words. He rinsed her hair out carefully, then helped condition the ends, all while sneaking a few playful kisses to her cheek.

CONFESSIONAL

"I definitely like the way me and Louis are going, I like how we acts and how we're learning about each other more and more"

When they were done, she stepped out, wrapping a towel around herself before heading to the dressing room. The room was empty and quiet, giving her a brief moment of peace. She got dressed in one of her more relaxed outfits, before sitting at the mirror to quickly fix her face. A touch of blush, a flick through her lashes, and a finger-comb through her brows brought her to life again.

Once finished, she made her way to the kitchen. Louis was already there, whirring away at the blender as he made smoothies. She smiled as she watched him from a distance, admiring the way his back flexed slightly through his shirt as he worked.

She sat at the counter, chin resting in her palm.

Louis turned around and raised an eyebrow. "You look like death."

She scowled playfully. "Wow. Good morning to you too."

He passed her a smoothie with a teasing grin. "I mean it lovingly. You alright?"

She shrugged. "I think I'm just getting my period. I feel kind of bleh."

Louis' expression softened as he came over and rubbed her back gently. "Want me to make you tea or something?"

"No, this is fine," she said, sipping the smoothie. "Thank you."

They walked out together toward the outdoor couches, passing a few others who were still stretching or walking around in towels. Serena and Kordell were already lounging there, mid-conversation. Serena looked up and smiled when she saw them.

"Morning, you two! How's the closed off couple?" she teased.

Louis grinned and threw an arm around Alexandra as they sat down. "Thriving."

Alexandra rested her head on his shoulder. "Barely. I need another hour of sleep."

Kordell laughed. "Y'all are always late to breakfast. The rest of us might start charging you."

"Charge Louis," Alexandra said, sipping her drink. "He dragged me out of bed just to wash my hair."

"Because I'm a good future boyfriend," Louis replied proudly.

Serena nudged Alexandra with her foot. "Aww. Look at you with your hair all fresh and your man making you smoothies. Being closed off looks good on you."

Alexandra smiled to herself. It did. Even with the aches, the tiredness, and the chaos of the villa, there was something grounding about mornings like this, quiet moments, warm showers, playful teasing, and the feeling of someone choosing you again and again.

Alexandra's eyes flicked toward Serena, catching her attention with a subtle tilt of her head. Serena immediately picked up on the signal, an unspoken cue between the two and got up from the daybed. Without a word, Alexandra followed, both of them slipping away from Louis and Kordell's conversation.

They made their way across the garden, heading for All the Feels. Once there, they collapsed onto the cushions, stretching out under the morning sun. The atmosphere shifted almost immediately, it was quieter here, more personal, and Alexandra finally took a breath.

Serena looked over at her expectantly, legs tucked under her as she leaned slightly forward. "Okay," she said. "Spill."

Alexandra laughed quietly, slipping her sunglasses on, her fingers brushing her cheek before she let her gaze wander. Almost without thinking, her eyes found Louis, still sitting on the couch with Kordell. He was laughing at something, completely unaware of her stare. She sighed.

"I think my feelings for Louis..." She trailed off, then looked back at Serena, suddenly serious. "They're way more than me just liking him. I think it's past that now."

Serena raised her brows, letting Alexandra talk.

Alexandra shrugged lightly, as if trying to downplay the weight of her words. "But I also think it's too early. Like, too early for me to even say this out loud, let alone to him."

Serena nodded slowly, her expression encouraging but neutral. "Do you know what exactly you're feeling?"

Alexandra hesitated. "Yeah. That's the problem. I know exactly what this is." She looked away, down at her hands. "I've felt it before. Not this strong, not this... intense. But I recognize it. And I think that's what's making it worse. Because now it feels real. And if I admit that to myself, if I acknowledge what this feeling actually is, it becomes real."

Serena tilted her head. "But isn't that a good thing?"

Alexandra's lips curved into a small, humorless smile. "Is it? Because once it's real, it means I have to face what comes with it. The possibility that he might not feel the same. Or worse, that he does, but he still hurts me."

Serena sighed softly. "You're in your head about this. But I get it. You two are basically glued together all day every day, and you're clearly close. It's normal that those feelings grow fast in here."

"Exactly," Alexandra said quickly, almost too quickly. "That's what's scaring me. The fact that it makes sense. That it all feels like it makes sense. Because it might make sense to me, but that doesn't mean it does for him. I could be romanticizing this whole thing and setting myself up."

Serena frowned thoughtfully. "But he asked to be closed off with you. That's not something guys do lightly in here. He's showing up for you. You said it yourself, he's consistent, affectionate, makes smoothies for you and your girls. I mean, come on. That's kind of amazing."

Alexandra looked away again, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Yeah," she said softly. "But you know just as well as I do that being exclusive doesn't guarantee anything. Having a girlfriend doesn't stop a man from cheating, never mind just being closed off in love island."

CONFESSIONAL

"I don't know guys, maybe I'm being pessimistic here or maybe I'm right. I just don't want to get played all in all."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Serena reached out, brushing her hand over Alexandra's knee gently. "You've been hurt before."

"Who hasn't?" Alexandra said, her voice quiet. "But yeah. I've trusted too soon. I've believed what I wanted to believe instead of seeing what was actually there. And this time... it just feels like I'm walking into the same thing again, only now I'm too deep to walk away."

Serena didn't rush to respond. She gave her space to breathe through it.

"You know what I think?" she finally said. "I think you're scared, and that's fair. You should be cautious. But don't let that fear completely close you off from something that could be good. You don't have to have it all figured out today."

Alexandra nodded slowly, letting the silence settle between them again. She let her sunglasses slide down the bridge of her nose and looked out at the villa once more. Louis was no longer on the couch. She wondered if he'd gone looking for her.

She turned back to Serena. "I just hate feeling like this."

"Like what?"

"Like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like I'm counting down the days until something ruins it. And I know that's a me problem. I just... wish I could let myself enjoy it."

"You can," Serena said softly. "Maybe not all the way, maybe not yet. But you can enjoy the parts that are good."

Alexandra didn't reply for a long moment. Then she sighed, finally leaning back into the cushions. "I'll try."

Serena smiled. "That's all you can do."

Alexandra offered her a small smile back, but the uncertainty still lingered in her eyes. Even as they got up to head back toward the others, that weight didn't lift.

She wasn't sure what scared her more, falling too hard or finding out Louis wasn't ready to catch her.

As the sky melted into warm hues of pink and gold, the girls gathered in the changing room, the last bits of sunlight spilling in through the villa windows. The room buzzed with soft chatter, the hum of straighteners, and bursts of laughter. Alexandra stood in front of the mirror, blending out the final touch of her blush, the warm color dusting her cheeks as the evening air crept in.

Kaylor, who was fixing her earrings, suddenly grinned, her voice cutting through the noise. "I told Aaron that I'm definitely falling for him."

The room erupted.

"Oh my God!" Nicole squealed, practically leaping across the room to hug her. Liv clapped her hands together with a wide grin, while Leah jumped in place like a cheerleader. The changing room swelled with cheers, high-pitched shrieks, and excited gasps.

Alexandra smiled too, but it was smaller, tighter. She glanced up from the mirror for a second before focusing back on her mascara wand, combing it through her lashes.

Serena, sitting cross-legged on the floor while fixing her nails, glanced up. "For me, it's kind of the opposite," she admitted, rubbing her arm nervously. "Like, I really like Kordell. I do. But I'm just... scared. Letting him in feels like giving up control, and I don't know how to say that to him without sounding crazy."

Kaylor reached for her hand. "You don't need to say it perfectly. Just let it come out naturally. He'll get it."

"Yeah," Leah added. "You two already act like a couple. You're always looking for each other, like magnets. Just be honest."

Serena smiled, visibly comforted, and the girls returned to finishing up their looks, each lost in their own thoughts of boys, love, and nerves. Hair was curled, perfume sprayed, and heels buckled as they began to file out of the dressing room in pairs.

Down in the garden, the boys were already waiting. Some were lounging with drinks in hand, others standing in small groups, deep in conversation. Louis looked up instantly when Alexandra appeared and opened his arms as she approached. She folded into him with ease, wrapping her arms around his middle as he kissed the top of her head.

"You look beautiful," he murmured.

"You always say that," she teased softly, but her cheeks tinged pink anyway.

Alexandra eventually peeled herself away, walking over to the sunloungers where Jana was already stretched out with a soft drink in hand. She plopped down beside her with a little sigh of contentment.

"I feel like I haven't seen you all day," Alexandra said.

Jana turned to her with a bright smile. "I've been with Kenny."

Alexandra's brows lifted, impressed. "Ooooh, okay. So?"

"It's good," Jana said, grinning as her voice softened. "Actually, it's more than good. This is the happiest I've felt since I came here."

Alexandra's face lit up in return. "I love that for you."

Jana shrugged a little, eyes scanning the garden before returning to her friend. "He just feels like a breath of fresh air, you know? And I expected him to be immature because he's younger than me, but he's not. He listens. He gets it."

Alexandra nodded, hand resting on Jana's leg. "You deserve that. You've been in a limbo here for so long, trying to make things work with people who weren't right. It's your time now."

Before Jana could respond, a sharp voice cut through the chatter from across the garden.

"I GOT A TEXT!"

Everyone whipped their heads around to see Nicole standing near the kitchen, her eyes wide as she clutched her phone.

"Go on then!" someone shouted.

Nicole cleared her throat, reading aloud as everyone quickly gathered. "Islanders, please gather around the fire pit immediately. #RealTalk."

A mix of groans, laughter, and cheers echoed as the Islanders started moving toward the fire pit. Alexandra shot Jana a wide-eyed look.

"Oh, it's about to get messy," she muttered under her breath, brushing her fingers through her hair nervously.

Alexandra sat beside Louis, her hands resting on her knees, her heart starting to thump faster. Her mind drifted to what she and Serena had talked about earlier. The idea of feelings growing faster than she could process. Of things becoming real before she was ready.

Beside her, Louis leaned close, brushing her hand with his thumb, grounding her for a second.

"Whatever they throw at us," he whispered, "we've got it."

The atmosphere around the fire pit shifted in an instant. Serena's phone buzzed in her hand, slicing through the nervous chatter. Her brows furrowed as she opened the message. Her voice wavered slightly as she read aloud, "Islanders, America has been voting for the most compatible couple..."

A quiet gasp rippled through the group.

Before anyone could react, Rob's phone buzzed immediately after. His face went still as he stared down at the message. "The couple with the fewest votes risk being dumped from the island... tonight."

The entire villa fell into a tense silence. You could hear the wind rustling the trees above the fire pit. Alexandra's heart dropped into her stomach. She instinctively turned to look at Louis, panic rising behind her eyes. But he gave her a calm, easy smile, reaching for her hand and giving it a soft squeeze.

"It's okay," he whispered, thumb brushing across her knuckles. "Whatever happens, you and me? We're solid."

Before Alexandra could respond, her phone buzzed. She swallowed thickly and unlocked it, her thumb trembling just slightly.

"In no particular order..." she read out, "the first saved couple is... Jana and Kenny."

Relief spread instantly as the couple hugged each other before walking over to sit on the bench reserved for the safe couples. Alexandra clapped with a small smile, watching as Jana leaned into Kenny's side. They looked so content. So secure.

Another buzz.

Kordell looked down. "The next couple saved is... Leah and Miguel."

The girls erupted with quiet excitement, clapping as Leah covered her mouth in surprise and hugged Miguel tightly. Alexandra leaned toward Louis, whispering with a grin, "Mom and Dad."

Louis chuckled, shaking his head.

Serena's phone buzzed again.

She read, "The next couple saved is... Louis and Alexandra."

Alexandra gasped audibly, her mouth falling open. Her wide eyes flew to Louis, who was already smiling as he pulled her into a hug.

"Oh my god," she muttered against his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You didn't think we were going anywhere, did you?" he whispered, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. She giggled, a little breathless with relief, and they moved to sit beside the other saved couples.

Kendall's phone buzzed.

He read the message with a furrowed brow. "Only two more couples are safe. The next couple saved is... Serena and Kordell."

Serena released a shaky breath as Kordell wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into a quick kiss before guiding her to the seats. The rest of the group clapped, though the energy was thinning now, heavier.

Liv's phone buzzed next. She opened the message quickly.

"The sixth and final couple saved is... Nicole and Kendall."

A murmur went through the group as Nicole and Kendall stood, both looking stunned. Nicole blinked a few times like she hadn't registered the words properly. Kendall touched the small of her back, giving her a gentle nudge toward the bench.

And then, as if on cue, Cassie's phone lit up.

She stood still as she read, her voice level but tight. "Liv, Nigel, Cassie, and Rob. Please stand in front of the fire pit."

Gasps followed. The remaining four slowly stood and walked to the fire pit. The mood had shifted completely, palpable tension rippled through the air.

Alexandra's smile faded as she leaned forward, lacing her fingers together. Her eyes drifted between the four Islanders standing under the flickering firelight. The sadness was etched in their expressions.

Liv crossed her arms over her chest, biting her lip to keep it from quivering. Nigel had his jaw tight, clearly trying to stay composed. Cassie and Rob avoided eye contact with everyone.

Jana whispered, "It has to be a dumping... but maybe the Islanders decide?"

"No," Louis murmured. "If it's public vote... it's up to the viewers. This could be final."

Alexandra didn't respond. Her chest ached, a pit forming deep in her stomach. She didn't feel ready to watch someone go, not yet, not like this.

Just when the tension began to settle from the announcement of the dumping, Leah's phone buzzed. She looked down, her expression unreadable as she opened the message.

Her voice was careful, steady despite the emotions swirling around them.

"Islanders, the four of you are now vulnerable. However, only two of you will be leaving the island. The decision will be made by your fellow islanders."

A shocked silence rippled through the group, faces shifting from confusion to concern. Cassie blinked slowly, as if trying to absorb what had just been said. Rob glanced at her, jaw tightening, but said nothing.

Louis whispered under his breath, "This is going to be brutal."

Serena bit her nail, casting a nervous look toward Kordell, who just gave her a slow, unreadable nod.

Then the next text came through.

Jana's phone buzzed this time. "Islanders, please now stand behind the one person you want to stay in the villa."

The group exchanged awkward glances before moving, slowly, carefully, each step heavy with consequence.

The boys moved first. One by one, all of them walked toward Rob. First Kordell, then Miguel, Kendall, and finally Louis. Alexandra's stomach twisted when Louis walked over without hesitation. Kenny hesitated for a second before walking toward Nigel, giving him a subtle pat on the back.

Alexandra stood still, unmoving. The girls hesitated. Slowly, one by one, they walked behind Liv, Serena, Leah, Nicole, Kaylor, and Jana.

Only Alexandra remained. She looked at Cassie, who was standing there awkwardly, trying to hold herself together, her arms crossed protectively across her chest.

Without a word, Alexandra walked over to her and stood behind her. She gently placed a hand on Cassie's back and pulled her into a soft hug. Cassie's eyes glistened, and she nodded without looking up, the emotions quietly bubbling inside her.

Cassie's phone buzzed.

She glanced down and read it with a blank expression. "Cassie and Nigel... you are now dumped from the island. Please say your goodbyes."

A few gasps echoed as the reality of the moment hit them. Alexandra shook her head slowly, wrapping her arms tightly around Cassie again.

"This sucks," she whispered into Cassie's hair.

Cassie nodded again, no words forming. Just the weight of the moment pressing down.

The girls huddled together, offering hugs, murmuring apologies and soft goodbyes. Even those who hadn't stood behind her seemed overcome with guilt. Cassie smiled through it, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere was heavy. Cassie opened her suitcase slowly, moving her things with quiet resignation. The girls sat around her, mostly silent. No one knew what to say.

After a long pause, Cassie gave a weak chuckle. "You guys don't have to sit here and watch me pack. It makes it more embarrassing than it already is."

"Cassie..." Nicole began, but Cassie waved her off gently.

"I'm serious. I get it. It's part of the show. But I just... I need a minute. I left something in the bathroom anyway."

She stood up, grabbing her toiletry bag before quietly walking out.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Kaylor whispered, "She probably feels like we're just... staring at her."

Jana sighed. "That's cause we kind of are."

"I feel awful," Serena murmured, looking down at her hands.

Alexandra shook her head, her tone firmer. "That was messed up guys."

CONFESSIONAL

"I mean even if you wanted Liv to stay what difference would it make it two people voted for Cassie to stay. I just feel like the girls didn't think like that."

The room fell into silence again.

Moments later, the door opened and Cassie walked back in. She moved toward Leah, who looked up in surprise.

"Can we talk? Outside?" Cassie asked simply.

Leah hesitated, then nodded and followed her out without a word.

Alexandra stood up almost immediately. The dressing room suddenly felt stifling, too close, too thick with tension. She walked out quietly, needing air, needing space, needing anything but that heavy silence.

She made her way to the kitchen, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. She took a few slow sips, trying to clear her thoughts.

From across the villa, voices picked up. Movement. The sound of goodbyes.

She turned, seeing Islanders beginning to gather at the entrance. Cassie and Nigel were ready to leave, their bags packed, the final moments drawing near.

Alexandra didn't hesitate. She walked over, weaving through the others to reach them.

She gave Nigel a hug first. "I wish we got to talk more. You're a real one."

Nigel smiled softly. "You too. Take care of Louis."

Alexandra turned to Cassie, wrapping her up in a long, tight hug.

"I meant what I said back there," she whispered. "You didn't deserve this."

Cassie's voice was thick. "Thanks for standing behind me. You were the only one."

They stepped back, hands squeezing once before letting go.

Cassie turned to wave at the others, her voice shaky but sincere. "Good luck to all of you."

And with that, Cassie and Nigel turned toward the exit, the front door slowly opening as the two of them walked off into the night.

I'm backkkkk, get ready for the drama ma ma ma

This week a hot new bombshell enters the villa

For boys we are introducing ......

Matheus

And girls we are introducing .........

Amaia