Reaching the fifth floor, Julia paused, a little out of breath. Climbing five flights in one go was truly tiring.
Adele's door was shut tight. Julia approached and knocked gently.
"Adele, it's your sister-in-law."
"The door isn't locked."
Adele's weak voice drifted from inside the room.
When Julia pushed the door open, the strong stench of alcohol assaulted her, making her frown instinctively.
On the sofa in the living area, Adele sat alone, drinking sullenly. Several alcohol bottles were on the coffee table; two were already empty. She was quite drunk.
No one had come to bother her. Even if someone had tried, she wouldn't have let them in, merely saying she needed to rest. No one knew she was hiding in her room, drinking alone.
