23. Alex

Alex surprises Ophelia by flying to Scotland unannounced on Boxing Day. When he arrives at her home address, he discovers she has been living alone since her parents died in a helicopter crash four years ago—a crash covered up by Alex's father's company. The revelation forces both to confront the painful truth underlying their relationship.

Alex lands in Inverness and drives to Ophelia's address in a small town, tracking her phone location. When he arrives at the run-down terrace house, Ophelia is devastated by his appearance and initially begs him to leave. Inside, Alex discovers the house is nearly empty and bitterly cold. Ophelia finally breaks down and reveals her parents died in a helicopter crash four years ago when she was sixteen, and that it was a Green helicopter—owned by Alex's father's company. She accuses Alex of knowing about the cover-up and of looking away while her parents' deaths were erased from record, leaving her completely alone without financial or governmental support. Alex realizes the full weight of why Ophelia has struggled to be with him despite her feelings. He promises to work toward removing his father from power within a year. After comforting her and running a bath, Alex tells Ophelia he loves her, acknowledging that she is not ready to say it back but declaring his commitment to her. They kiss passionately but Ophelia stops before they go further, saying not in this house. Alex then begins planning a proper Christmas for her, retrieving battery-operated lights from boxes of her parents' belongings that she has carefully packed away.