BETRAYAL OF THE HEART

his decisions, his emotions. It was the only way to keep the chaos at bay. But the e

e couldn't shake the feeling that something irreversible had happened between

y recognizing the man staring back. The reflection was

had known she would. The silence left in her wake was d

Regret. But all he felt

He glanced at the screen, half-expecting it to be

need to tal

needed right now was another confrontation

ack, his fingers sh

-

ling T

n usual, as if the world

kets. He felt the weight of the situation pressing on him-this wasn't just

ersation he was about to have wit

was no mistaking the tension in his eyes. He led Victor into

el's gaze on him, and he could

oiding me," Dan

ding his brother's e

ng on. I've seen it in Sophie's face. She's distant. She's not the s

but he didn't flinch. "She's fine. Sh

now my wife, Victor. And I know something's wro

mouth, but no words came. He couldn't d

voice was low, almost pleading

voice hoarse. "I don't kn

hell can't you just be honest with me? You're my brother, for God's sak

his sides. "You don't want to know t

ready being destroyed by the uncertainty. By t

ght of Daniel's words hittin

happen," he whispered. "But it did

. "You're my brother, Victor. You're supposed to have my back. But instead, y

ictor couldn't find the s

urmured, his voic

lenched at his sides. "Sorry? Sorry d

aced, his thoughts colliding in chaos. But no matter how h

l's voice was co

turned and walked out, each

-

Cold

ped into the cool night air. He glance

We need

even have to think about it. He type

couldn't think straight. Every fiber of his being screamed

idn't even knock-he just let himself in, hi

s, her body stiff with tension. She looked up when he

art dropped

barely a whisper. "I don't k

er hands in his. "I never wanted this

"But we've crossed a line we can't come bac

tened. "I don't kno

, bitter laugh. "I

etween them w

Victor said hoarsely, his

n her face. "But I can't stay in this. I c

her tightly, though he knew, deep down,

ispered, his voice

tly to look at him. "You can't love me. Y

l like this?" Victor

"I don't know. I d

ound that was only growing deeper. He didn't k

in: their lives would n