Shadows of Revenge

24. Unspoken Worries

The quaint, dimly lit café where Becky had asked Irin to meet wasn’t the most extravagant place, but it held a sense of comfort that only old friends would recognize. Its cozy, rustic charm—worn wooden tables, warm brick walls, and the faint scent of fresh coffee in the air—was exactly what she needed to calm her nerves. It had been months since she and Irin had sat down for a real conversation, and the weight of everything left unsaid between them felt heavy.

Becky sat by the window, staring out at the bustling street as the sun began to set, casting a soft golden hue across the city. She tapped her fingers nervously on the table, the chill of uncertainty creeping up her spine. There was so much she needed to say, but where would she even begin?

When Irin finally walked in, a familiar warmth spread through Becky’s chest. Despite everything, Irin was still her best friend, the one person who had always known her better than anyone else. Irin spotted her instantly, her face lighting up with a smile, and she hurried over to the table.

“Hey, stranger!” Irin said with a teasing grin as she pulled out the chair across from Becky. “Long time no see. I almost forgot what you look like.”

Becky smiled awkwardly, feeling a pang of guilt. “Yeah... I’m sorry about that.”

Irin waved her off, sitting down. “Don’t worry about it. But you better make up for it with some good stories. You’ve been avoiding me, and I’ve been dying to know what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Becky fidgeted with the edge of the napkin on the table, her mind racing. The words were stuck somewhere between her heart and her mouth, refusing to come out. How could she explain everything without sounding ridiculous?

Irin noticed her hesitation and leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Becky, come on. It’s just me. Talk to me.”

Taking a deep breath, Becky finally spoke, though her voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry, Irin. I wasn’t fair to you. When you and Tee got together... I didn’t handle it well. I should’ve been supportive, but instead, I pushed you away. I didn’t understand your relationship, and I guess I was scared of losing you.”

Irin’s face softened, and she reached across the table, giving Becky’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know, Becks. It wasn’t easy for either of us. But we’re here now, and I get it. You had a lot going on back then. It’s all in the past.”

Becky gave a small, relieved smile, but there was still a knot of tension in her chest. This wasn’t the real reason she had asked Irin to meet her. She had to get the truth out, or it would eat her alive.

“Irin... there’s something else,” Becky started, her voice wavering. “It’s about Freen.”

Irin raised an eyebrow. “Freen? What about her?”

Becky looked down, feeling her palms sweat as she pulled out her phone and opened the photo. Her heart raced as she slid the phone across the table to Irin. “I’ve been... I don’t know, thinking things. Freen has been acting really suspicious lately. I found this picture—this house—and it’s connected to something I don’t understand.”

Irin took the phone, studying the photo for a moment before her expression softened. A gentle laugh escaped her lips, surprising Becky.

“Becks, this?” Irin asked, sliding the phone back to her with an amused smile. “This is nothing suspicious. That’s Freen and Sarah’s old house. They used to live there together.”

Becky blinked, her mind scrambling to make sense of Irin’s words. “What do you mean?”

Irin leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. “Whenever Freen misses Sarah, she goes there. She’s been doing it for years, Becks. She’d sit there for hours, just thinking, remembering. It’s her way of coping with everything that happened. I’ve seen her do it plenty of times. There’s nothing sinister about it. Freen is... she’s kind and gentle. She’s not some dark figure you should be suspicious of.”

Becky let out a shaky breath, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment wash over her. “Oh... I didn’t know. I just—Freen’s been distant, and I thought... maybe she was hiding something.”

Irin laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with warmth. “Becky, you’re overthinking things. Freen’s not hiding anything from you, trust me. She’s probably just overwhelmed. You two have been through a lot together.”

Becky nodded, a weight lifting from her shoulders. “You’re right. I’ve been so caught up in my own thoughts that I started imagining the worst.”

Irin smiled knowingly. “That’s what happens when you overthink things. You start making mountains out of molehills.”

Becky chuckled, feeling a sense of peace for the first time in days. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the noise of the café fading into the background as they shared a quiet understanding. It felt like old times again, like the days when they could talk about anything and everything without fear of judgment.

“So,” Irin said after a pause, her tone light and teasing, “how do you feel about Freen? You’ve been talking about her a lot lately.”

Becky froze for a second, caught off guard by the question. Her heart skipped a beat as she fumbled for words, but before she could say anything, Irin raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer.

Becky opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, a soft, uncertain smile spread across her lips as she stared down at her coffee, lost in thought.

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