Bound By Sin

"Why?"

Genevieve sat at the small table in the stark interrogation room the police station, her heart pounding in her chest. The cold metal chairs felt uncomfortable beneath her, and the air was thick with tension and uncertainty. She stared at the door, dreading the moment Nicholas would walk through it.

When the door finally creaked open, her breath caught. Nicholas stepped into view, his eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and defiance. The guard nudged him forward, and he took a seat across from her, the bars separating them a painful reminder of the reality they faced.

"Why?" he asked, his voice raw and trembling. The hurt in his expression pierced through her defenses.

Genevieve felt her heart sink. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Nicholas leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table, knuckles white. "You know what you did. You betrayed me!"

"I didn't betray you," she shot back, anger flaring. "I was trying to protect myself. You confessed to me, Nicholas. I didn't know what else to do."

He stared at her, disbelief etched on his features. "You think I wanted this? That I wanted you to turn me in?"

"You killed them!" Genevieve shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. "You said it yourself. You were there, Nicholas. You can't just pretend it didn't happen!"

"I didn't mean to!" he snapped, anguish flashing in his eyes. "I didn't plan any of it. It just happened. You have to believe me!"

"Believe you?" Genevieve echoed, frustration boiling over. "You think I wanted to come here and confront you like this? You made a choice, Nicholas. And now people are dead."

Nicholas' expression twisted with pain. "I trusted you! I never thought you'd be the one to turn on me like this."

"I trusted you too," she said, her voice softening for a moment. "But the man I thought I knew isn't the same as the man who did those things. You've changed. I can't ignore that."

He leaned back, his shoulders slumping as the weight of her words sank in. "You really think I'm a monster?"

"I don't know what to think anymore," she admitted, tears stinging her eyes. "You're in here for a reason. You've confessed. It's like I don't even recognize you."

"Genevieve, please," he pleaded, desperation in his voice. "You have to understand what led me to that point. I never wanted it to end like this."

"Then why didn't you stop?" she challenged, leaning forward, her heart racing. "Why didn't you come to me? I could have helped you. We could have faced this together!"

"I was scared," he confessed, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. "I thought you'd leave me if you knew I didn't stop. I didn't want to lose you."

Her heart ached at his words, but she couldn't let that cloud her judgment. "But look where we are now! I'm losing you anyway. I can't live the rest of my life in fear of what you might do next. I can't be your shield."

Nicholas' eyes flashed with anger and pain. "So you'd just walk away? Just like that?"

"I have to protect myself, Nicholas!" she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You think this is easy for me? I care about you, but I can't ignore the reality of who you are anymore."

He stared at her, hurt etched across his face, the silence between them heavy and suffocating. "You're really going to walk away from me?"

Genevieve hesitated, torn between the remnants of her feelings for him and the chilling truth she had to face. "I don't have a choice."

As she stood to leave, he called out, his voice breaking. "I forgive you."

She paused, turning to look at him, surprise flashing in her eyes. "What?"

"I forgive you," he repeated, his voice steadier now. "For turning me in. For not believing in me. I understand why you did it."

A small smile broke through her tears, but it felt bittersweet. "Thank you," she said softly. The weight of their shared past hung heavy in the air, but she knew she had to move forward.

Genevieve turned and walked toward the door, each step feeling like a goodbye. She stepped out of the cell, the heavy door closing behind her, sealing away the man she once loved.

******************************

Detective Blackwood was waiting for her outside, concern etched on his face as he approached. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone gentle.

"I will be," she replied, forcing a smile despite the turmoil inside.

He nodded, stepping closer. "Let's get you out of here."

As he wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace, Isabella felt a flicker of comfort amidst the chaos. He pulled back slightly, cupping her face with his hand and kissing her forehead—a gesture of warmth in this cold, unforgiving place.

"Just take care of yourself," he said, his eyes searching hers.

"I will," she promised, her heart still heavy with the memories of Nicholas but grateful for Blackwood's presence. As they walked together toward the exit, Genevieve couldn't shake the feeling that everything had irrevocably changed, both for her and for Nicholas. The shadows of their past would linger, but she was determined to face whatever came next, fortified by the knowledge that she had made the right choice, even if it hurt.