Seduction In Ink

Chapter 33

The Weight of Truth

With the folder in his hands, Tyler departed the posh eatery with a racing heart. Inside, lay information that could change everything. Anxiety twisted his gut, but beneath it, a strange exhilaration bubbled up—he was holding the truth, a truth that could shatter or heal.

He fumbled for his phone, dialing Zek with shaking hands. The line picked up after a single ring.

"Were you able to bring Isabela home?" Tyler's voice was tense, strained.

"Yeah, dinner's almost ready. Is everything okay? Where are you?" Zek's calm tone over the phone was at odds with the storm swirling inside Tyler.

Tyler ignored the question, focusing on the weight of what he had just discovered. "Zek, I need a favor. Wait until I get there. We need to talk."

Zek's response was swift. "Of course, Tyler. I'll wait. But you better make it quick; I hate when dinner gets cold."

Tyler acknowledged this briefly, ending the call. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel as he sped toward Zek's apartment, his thoughts racing as fast. What he had learned could unravel everything they'd built—or worse, what they hadn't yet rebuilt.

Back at the apartment, Zek set his phone down on the kitchen counter, a faint frown creasing his brow. Tyler had always been serious, but something about that last call felt different—heavier. Shaking his head, Zek returned to his cooking, though his movements were slightly more hurried.

"Zek..."

He looked up to see Isabela entering the kitchen, already dressed in pajamas, her smile soft but tired.

"Perfect timing, dinner's almost ready," Zek said, gesturing toward the soup he was stirring. "Come taste."

Isabela approached hesitantly, dipping a spoon into the pot and giving it a small sip. "It's great," she admitted. "You and Tyler are both naturals in the kitchen."

Zek chuckled, though his thoughts remained on his brother. "You're forgetting who taught us."

Isabela grinned knowingly but said nothing more.

Zek reached for the plates. "You hungry?" he asked, his voice a little more distracted now. "I'll set the table."

"I'll help," Isabela offered, but Zek stopped her with a gentle touch.

"I got it," he said, locking eyes with her for a moment longer than necessary. "Just sit down. Relax."

Isabela nodded, returning to the living room, where she sat watching Zek flit around the kitchen. Despite his calmness, his movements felt odd, like he was holding back. She glanced at Zek and the clock, feeling the strain under the surface.

Meanwhile, Tyler navigated the winding streets, his mind churning with doubt. How was he supposed to break this news to Zek? They had come so far—rebuilding their fragile relationship brick by brick. Could one piece of truth topple it all?

As he climbed the stairs to the apartment, Tyler's resolve wavered. He paused before opening the door and entering with determination. His eyes immediately locked on Zek, who was lounging on the couch, his face a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Tyler, what's going on?" Zek asked, standing as Tyler entered.

Tyler paused, feeling the weight of the situation. How could he reveal what he knew without tearing apart the fragile peace they had finally started to build?

"Zek, I..." Tyler started, his voice faltering as he tried to form the words.

Zek watched him closely, picking up on his unease. After a moment, he extended a hand toward his brother, offering silent support.

Tyler opened his lips to speak again, when Isabela appeared, shattering the tension. "Tyler!" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug him.

Tyler smiled at her, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He glanced back at Zek, who was watching them with an inscrutable expression.

"What took you so long?" Isabela asked, peppering Tyler with questions. "Where have you been?"

Tyler forced a chuckle. "Miss me already? I was only gone for a bit," He teased, kissing her forehead quickly.

Zek averted his gaze, heading toward the dining table. "Well, since you're here, let's eat," he said, his voice neutral. "We can talk after."

Tyler exchanged a glance with Isabela, then nodded. "Yeah, let's eat first," he agreed, though his mind was still racing.

As they sat around the table, the tension in the air was palpable. Zek's posture was relaxed, but Tyler could sense the subtle shifts in his demeanor—he was aware that something was off. Isabela attempted to ease the tension with casual chat, but it didn't work.

Tyler continued thinking about the folder and its truthfulness. He couldn't keep this to himself any longer. But every time he tried to speak, the words got stuck, lodged in his throat like thorns.

Zek, for his part, seemed outwardly calm, though there was a slight stiffness to his movements as he ate. He knew Tyler was hesitant and avoided eye contact with his brother.

Isabela joked and made lighthearted comments, however, the mood remained gloomy. The lunch was marred by Tyler's quiet and Zek's reserve.

As dinner wound down, Tyler could feel the weight of the truth pressing harder against his chest. He couldn't avoid it anymore.

Clearing his throat, Tyler glanced at Zek and Isabela, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him. "I need to talk to both of you," he said, his gaze steady. "It's important."

Isabela tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Does this concern me too?" she asked.

Tyler nodded. "Maybe not directly, but you're in my life, and I'll always be honest. This impacts us all."

Zek reclined back in his chair, smirking slightly. "Well, this sounds serious. Spill it, Ty. What's going on?"

Tyler met Zek's eyes, his expression grave. "You'll find out after dinner."

The air was thick with unspoken words, tension building as they waited for what Tyler had to reveal. The weight of truth hung between them, heavy and unavoidable.