Swallow your pride

Confession and regret

Omini'S Pov

Yarra returned to the banquet. She took a glass of champagne and drank it all at once. She returned the empty glass to the waiter and immediately took another glass. Ominis observed Yarra from across the room, concern etched on his face. He waited anxiously for a moment, giving her some space before approaching her. His sense of unease grew stronger by the second.
He approached her, gently taking the second glass from her hand. "Yarra," he said softly, his voice tinged with concern. "Maybe you should slow down a bit..."
Yarra tensed as Ominis took the glass from her hand. She turned to face him, small, trembling smile onto her face. "I'm...I'm fine, Ominis,"her voice hollow. "I just...I just needed a drink, that's all." She reached for the glass again, but he held onto it gently, a small frown creasing his forehead.
Ominis could sense the tension in Yarra's voice, the forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yarra," he began, his voice gentle yet firm, "I know something is bothering you. Don't try to hide it. You've had two glasses of champagne within minutes. This isn't like you."
"I'm...I'm just tired, Ominis," she told. "This...this week has been a lot. With the wedding and all..." She avoided his eyes, her gaze darting around the room.

Ominis's keen senses picked up on the subtle hints of her body language and tone, the wavering in her voice. He knew there was more to it than mere tiredness. Nevertheless, he softened his tone.
"Yarra," he said calmly, gently placing a hand on her shoulder, "I know planning the wedding has been stressful, but this is more than just wedding fatigue. I can sense it. Please, talk to me."

She closed her eyes, the tears starting to spill down her cheeks. She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper.
"I...I can't, Ominis. I wish I could...but I can't."
Ominis's heart ached as he saw the tears streaming down Yarra's face, and the way her voice quivered with sorrow. He reached out to her, gently cupping her face, his voice gentle but resolute. "Yarra," he murmured, his tone filled with tenderness and determination, "I've known you long enough to tell when something is wrong. You're not just stressed. I need you to tell me what's going on. We're supposed to be a team now. We solve everything together. You can't shut me out like this."
Tears streaming faster down her face. Her shoulders shook. She looked up into his eyes. "I...I'm sorry," she managed to get out, her voice little more than a strangled whisper. "I'm so sorry...I...I don't...I don't deserve you." Ominis's heart skipped a beat as he heard the pain in Yarra's voice, the words choked with anguish. His heart twisted in his chest, the familiar sensation of dread washing over him. He ran his thumb gently over her cheek, capturing a tear, his voice a trembling whisper. "Yarra," he said, his voice betraying the fear in his heart, "what do you mean you don't deserve me? I married you. Chose you. I... I *love* you." Yarra closed her eyes. She took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I know you do. I know...and I feel the same. I...I love you so much. But...but..."

Ominis's heart ached with each word, every syllable she spoke adding new weight to the growing fear in his chest. Her confession of love only emphasized the pain that was to follow. His voice trembled as he spoke.
"But... what?" he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper, laced with desperation. "But what does that change, Yarra? If we love each other, we can get through anything. Whatever it is, I *promise* you we can work it out. Just... please, talk to me. I need you to talk to me."

Yarra's eyes brimmed with fresh tears at his words. She let out a strangled sob, burying her face in her hands, her voice trembling as she finally spoke. "I...I cheated on you, Ominis."

Ominis's heart shattered as Yarra's sobbed admission hit him like a lightning bolt. The air seemed to freeze around him, the entire world shrinking to the weight of her words. Betrayal and disbelief swirled within him, each one adding more jagged edges to the already shattered pieces of his heart. He stepped back, nearly stumbling, the color draining from his face. "You... what?" he whispered, his voice barely a breath.
Her shoulders slumped, her body shuddering, "I...I cheated on you," she repeated, her voice thick with sorrow. "I cheated on you with Sebastian."
The truth felt like a punch to his gut, the weight of her adultery crushing him with its finality. He could scarcely breathe, his vision swimming as he tried to fathom the magnitude of her confession. And Sebastian... his *best friend*. Ominis's face paled even further, his hand clenching into a fist as anger and pain intertwined in his chest. He forced himself to speak, his voice hoarse. "How... how could you?"
Yarra flinched, "I...I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise around them. "I'm so sorry, Ominis... please, believe me, I..."