Chapter 13: Secret in the Pool

She turned back toward the mirror and picked up her comb, slowly brushing her hair as if Bradly were not standing behind her.

If he wanted a fight, fine.

“Because I said so.”

His voice grew louder.

Varany rolled her eyes.

“And what if I don't?”

She turned to face him.

“Myra is my friend. There is nothing wrong with that.”

Bradly's jaw tightened.

“Friend?”

He repeated the word like he hated it.

“You think I don't see the way he looks at you?”

Varany's breath caught.

Bradly stepped closer.

“And you...” His voice dropped. “You don't see it?”

Of course she did.

She had always known how Myra felt. She had simply chosen to ignore it.

“There is nothing going on,” Varany said firmly.

Even she could hear the weakness in her voice.

Bradly moved closer.

Too close.

“And if there was?”

Her heart began to pound.

“What would you do?”

Silence filled the room.

Varany lifted her chin.

“I wouldn't be doing anything wrong.”

Something sharp flashed in Bradly's eyes.

He reached for her wrist.

His grip was firm, but not painful.

“Don't push me, Varany.”

She stared at him.

Then she understood.

This was not only about Myra.

Bradly was afraid.

Afraid another man could take the place he had spent six years trying to earn back.

But fear did not give him the right to control her.

“Varany!”

His voice suddenly cut through the room.

“Don't shout at me,” she said quietly. “Nihan might wake up.”

She pulled her wrist free.

“And no. I won't do it.”

Bradly's eyes darkened.

“Myra is my friend,” Varany continued. “There is nothing wrong with talking to him.”

She held his gaze.

“We are not doing anything wrong.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

Varany did not wait for his answer.

She turned toward the door.

But before she could reach it, Bradly spoke again.

“You really don't understand, do you?”

Varany stopped.

Slowly, she looked back.

Bradly's expression had changed.

The anger was still there.

But beneath it was something else.

Something far more vulnerable.

“I almost lost you once,” he said quietly. “I'm not going to watch another man take you from me.”

Varany's heart tightened.

Because for the first time that night, Bradly was not trying to control her.

He was admitting that he was scared.

Varany turned and walked out.

She went straight to the guest room, locked the door, and dropped onto the bed.

Her chest felt tight.

Why was Bradly acting like this?

She never questioned who he talked to. She never tried to control him.

So why did he think he could control her?

A knock came at the door.

“Varany, open the door.”

She closed her eyes.

Another knock.

“Varany.”

She ignored him.

She was too tired.

Too angry.

Eventually, sleep pulled her under.

Even with Bradly still waiting outside.

Morning came quietly.

Soft sunlight touched Varany's face.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Then froze.

She was back in their room.

Her breath caught.

Bradly was beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist as if nothing had happened.

As if they had never fought.

Varany stared at him for a moment before carefully slipping from his arms.

She went to the bathroom, washed her face, and took a slow breath.

Then she went downstairs.

It was Sunday.

Bradly and Nihan would probably sleep longer.

Varany prepared breakfast before stepping outside to water the plants. The morning air helped clear her head.

When she finally walked back inside, she saw Nihan standing on the stairs.

“Nihan.”

Varany hurried toward her.

“Baby.”

She lifted her daughter into her arms and kissed her cheek.

Just like that, everything inside her softened.

She prepared Nihan's milk and helped her eat.

For a few quiet minutes, the house felt peaceful.

Then footsteps sounded behind her.

Varany did not need to turn around.

Bradly.

She felt him before she saw him.

Their eyes met.

And the wall inside Varany immediately went back up.

Her expression became calm.

Distant.

She looked at him as if he were a stranger.

Bradly sat beside her.

Varany stood, poured him a cup of coffee, and placed it in front of him without a word.

Bradly kept watching her.

Waiting.

Varany ignored him and turned toward the dishes.

The silence stretched between them.

Even Nihan noticed.

She was too young to understand what was wrong, but she could feel the tension.

After breakfast, Varany cleaned the kitchen before taking Nihan upstairs for her bath.

The entire time, she could feel Bradly watching her.

Waiting for her to say something.

She said nothing.

When Nihan was dressed, she ran straight toward her father.

“Daddy!”

Bradly immediately opened his arms.

Nihan jumped into them.

Varany watched from a distance.

“Cartoons,” Nihan said happily.

Bradly smiled and lifted her into his arms.

“Come with us, Mommy,” Nihan said.

Varany's chest tightened.

She forced a small smile.

“I have a headache, baby.”

Nihan pouted, but after a moment, she nodded.

Bradly carried her toward the living room.

Then he stopped.

He looked back at Varany.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Bradly slowly walked back.

Varany stiffened.

But he did not argue.

He did not mention Myra.

He did not demand anything.

Instead, he leaned closer and gently kissed her forehead.

Soft.

Quiet.

Almost like an apology he did not know how to say.

Varany stayed still.

Then Bradly walked away.

Varany took a shower, changed her clothes, and lay down beside Nihan.

She only wanted sleep.

Quiet.

Nothing more.

She did not know how long she had been asleep when warmth suddenly surrounded her.

Arms wrapped around her.

Then a soft kiss touched her skin.

Varany stiffened.

She already knew who it was.

Bradly.

She pushed him away.

He let go immediately.

No argument.

No resistance.

Varany turned her back to him and faced Nihan.

Silence filled the room.

Then Bradly sighed.

“Babe...”

His voice cracked slightly.

“I'm sorry.”

Varany closed her eyes.

“Please talk to me.”

She said nothing.

“I know you're mad,” he continued. “I didn't mean to shout last night.”

He paused.

“I just... lost control.”

Varany's chest tightened.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered again.

For one dangerous moment, she almost turned around.

Almost forgave him.

Then she remembered Myra's hand.

Bradly's anger.

His words.

Everything came rushing back.

So she stayed still.

If she turned around now, she did not know if she would have the strength to keep her distance.

But his apology had reached her.

More than she wanted to admit.

“Come on, babe,” Bradly whispered.

His voice was softer now.

Careful.

“I'm sorry. Please.”

His arms slowly wrapped around her again.

This time, his touch was gentle.

“I won't do that again,” he promised. “I was just jealous.”

Varany's heart skipped.

Jealous?

“That was why I wanted you away from him,” Bradly continued. “I acted childish. I know.”

His voice softened.

“Forgive me.”

Varany remained silent.

Bradly waited.

For once, he did not push her.

He simply held her and waited.

Then, even softer, he whispered,

“If you want to stay angry, I understand. Just... don't ignore me like this.”

Varany's chest tightened.

“Tell me what to do,” he added. “I'll do anything.”

Bradly lowered his head against her shoulder.

And just like that, a crack formed in Varany's anger.

He had been jealous.

A small, dangerous hope began to grow inside her.

Maybe something real still existed between them.

Maybe Bradly could still love her the way she had always wanted.

A small smile touched Varany's lips.

Bradly slowly pulled back.

He saw it.

That tiny smile was enough.

He leaned closer and kissed her forehead.

Then the tip of her nose.

Then her lips.

Soft.

Careful.

Varany did not kiss him back.

Even though every part of her wanted to.

It took everything she had to stay still.

Later, Varany opened her eyes.

The room was quiet.

Too quiet.

More than an hour had passed.

Bradly was gone.

Her chest tightened.

Where was he?

Varany carefully sat up and moved Nihan's arms away.

She stood and walked into the living room.

Empty.

She checked the garden.

Nothing.

Then the kitchen.

Still nothing.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

Something was wrong.

Then she saw it.

The back door.

Wide open.

Leading toward the pool.

Varany's heart began to pound.

She stepped outside.

One step.

Then another.

The closer she got to the pool, the colder she felt.

Then she saw him.

Bradly.

But he was not alone.

Someone was standing with him.

Someone Varany never expected to see inside their new home.

The person slowly turned.

Varany froze.

Her blood ran cold.

Because in that instant, she knew.

Bradly had been hiding something from her.

And whatever that secret was...

It had just walked straight into their home.