Beyond The Lie

Chapter 33: Brotherly Advice

Eryx.

Olivia asked, but I barely registered her words. My gaze was fixed on Adeline, who couldn't meet my eyes. They know. She told them. A bitter taste of betrayal rose in my throat, and I felt a pang of hurt.

Liv's voice cut through the tension, her words a careless dismissal. "Sorry, dear boy. We've got some shopping to do. So bye, pie!" She dragged Adeline away, leaving me feeling frustrated and helpless.

As they walked away, Liv turned back to me, her eyes flashing with a warning. "And also, she told you, dude. Try to understand. Don't bother her. Let her live!"

Her words were like a slap, leaving me reeling. Let her live? Don't bother her? The phrases echoed in my mind, fueling my anger and hurt.

I stood there, frozen, as Adeline glanced back at me. Our eyes met for a fleeting moment, and I felt a searing ache in my chest.

Her words dug deep into my heart, igniting a firestorm of emotions. Anger boiled in my blood, and I couldn't explain why. Maybe it was because Adeline was now far away, beyond my reach. Maybe it was the feeling of powerlessness that came with it.

I stomped back to my car and sped away, the wheels screeching in protest. Where was I going? Home? No, that wasn't a place I went to find peace. The office? No, that was just a reminder of my responsibilities. The cabin in the woods? I would have gone there if it didn't remind me of her.

Am I overreacting? I didn't care. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions. Was I upset that Adeline wanted to stop our charade? Was it because she'd confided in her friends? Or was it the sting of Liv's words?

I drove without a destination, my thoughts swirling in chaos. Asher's call pierced the silence, and I answered with a growl.

"The boyfriend went to meet his lov-" I cut him off, my anger boiling over.

"F*ck off!" I barked, declining the call.

***

The day succumbed to darkness as I sat atop the hill, gazing out at the twinkling city lights. I was alone, lost in thought, until the sound of bikes broke the silence. I turned to see Asher and Ryker pulling up, carrying packages of food and drinks.

They'd clearly been alerted to my distress by Asher, who'd witnessed my outburst during our earlier call. Despite my protests, insisting I wanted solitude, they'd persisted, determined to provide me with company. And, in the end, they'd won.

Asher and Ryker settled in beside me on the rocky outcropping. "The silence itself is peaceful," Ryker observed, closing his eyes.

Just then, Asher's phone shattered the calm, blasting a loud, obnoxious tune. Ryker and I simultaneously winced, our eyes snapping shut in annoyance. "Sorry!" Asher apologized, hastily declining the call and silencing his phone. Ryker and I followed suit, immersing ourselves in the peacefulness of the night.

After a while, Asher broke the silence, unboxing the food. "So, what happened?" he asked, but I remained silent.

"Argued with her?" he pressed on, still focused on the food. I stayed quiet, and he exchanged a knowing glance with Ryker. They both smiled.

"Told you relationships are a headache!" Asher chuckled, handing me a bottle of drink. "Here, have this."

As we ate, Ryker spoke up. "Seriously, dude, I have no idea how women's minds work, and I don't know what's going on with you and your girl. But let me say this: whatever she did or said, she must have had a reason. Try to see things from her perspective."

Ryker paused, collecting his thoughts. "Maybe you should give her some time. If it's your mistake, apologize. If it's hers, forgive. I mean, I don't think your girl would do something unforgivable... unless," Asher interjected, his voice laced with sarcasm, "she slept with another guy."

Ryker shot Asher a look, while I glared at him, my expression stern.

"That's what he meant, right?" Asher asked Ryker, who shrugged in response. "Something like that..."

I gazed at Ryker, then back at the city lights. He doesn't get it. Forgiveness and patience come easily when it's your own person. But Adeline isn't mine.

Ryker's words echoed in my mind. "Remember, she's not just your woman, she's a person with her own thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Be patient, be understanding, and be supportive." Asher raised an eyebrow, and Ryker continued, "Don't try to control the situation, bro. Control your reactions, your emotions, and your actions. That's all you can do."

I was taken aback. Asher whistled, clapping his hands thrice. "Give him a big round of applause!" He grinned, and I couldn't help but smile too.

"Where did you get that from?" Asher asked Ryker.

Ryker just smiled mischievously. "Secret."

The night wore on, filled with laughter and brotherly advice.

***

Three days felt like an eternity. No texts, no calls, no sightings. We'd been pretending to be something we weren't. It wasn't supposed to hurt, but it did. Not in a way that made sense to others, but in a way that gnawed at me.

I couldn't express it, couldn't open up to anyone. Everywhere I went, memories of her lingered. Work, the cabin - even my phone was a reminder. I'd catch myself checking for messages or calls from her, but there were none.

Deep down, I knew the truth: Adeline was more than just an act. There was a connection between us, a bond I couldn't ignore. But did she feel it too? Probably not - 99% likely, she didn't. Yet, that 1% lingered.

But hadn't I been selfish all along? I'd asked her to see things from my perspective, but when had I considered hers? She was a driven woman, chasing success. That took courage, and I admired it.

As I reflected on our time together, I realized I'd been blind to her needs, her desires. Maybe it was time to think from her side, to understand what made her tick.

She has a life, friends, and family. She agreed to this charade for my sake, but she can't keep it up forever. She deserves to find someone genuine, someone who loves her for who she is. I thought about it, but a pang of unease hit me - what if the man she finds isn't the right one?

I pushed the thought aside. She can't keep lying to her loved ones, and that's partly my fault. If she wants freedom from this act, she deserves it. I'm not going to stand in her way.

I'll take care of my family; I'll tell them something - that I got angry and she left. Whatever it is, I won't blame her. Not in front of them, not in front of anyone.

We're adults; we should be able to talk about this and handle it like grown-ups. I won't pressure her, but I need to let her know she's free to leave, and I won't bother her again.

_______________

Happy Christmas!❄️🎄💖

Remember, you're loved deeply, needed always, and enough exactly as you are.💌✨💎