LOGINTommy..My footsteps echoed down the corridor of the hospital. My stomach twisted more and more as I drew closer to my father’s room.I had already made my decision. I already knew what I wanted.When I reached the door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open. My father was standing by the window when I entered, hands clasped behind him. Almost like he too was waiting for meI wanted to ask him how he was feeling. But that would only make me evil. If I really cared about him, I wouldn’t say what I was about to say.I stood before him, my heart thundering against my rib.“I can’t marry Raphael,” I said, bolstering my voice. I told myself I was an adult and that he couldn't punish me.I told myself all he could do was call me a disappointment.And today, I would agree I was one. My father inhaled and then exhaled. “Okay.”I blinked. “Okay?” I echoed like I didn’t hear him the first time.My father trudged towards the bed and settled at the edge of it.Something felt different abo
Tommy..“I hate this,” I said, lifting the glass to my lips again.My face twisted every time the alcohol touched my tongue, but I kept drinking.My mother sat across from me on the couch in her living room, hands folded neatly in her lap, watching me the same way she always did when she knew I was falling apart but did not want to push too hard.“Have you made a decision, Tommy,” she asked gently, her voice soft.I shook my head, staring down into the glass. “No,” I said, my throat tight, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”The silence stretched, thick.My thoughts ran ahead of me, spiraling and collapsing into each other.Father had already planned everything, the guest list, the contracts, the timing. If I did not go through with it the business would crumble, people would circle like vultures and they would usurp his position, and Father would die knowing that the last thing I did was disappoint him.I shook my head. “I don’t want his last memory of me disappointing him.”My m
Tommy..“What are you doing here, Gerard?” I let out a soft groan. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near me•I had said it louder than I meant to, my voice bouncing off the tiled walls of the bathroom.The tap ran behind us, and Gerard just stood there across from me with his hands loose by his sides, his suit too neat, his face too calm, staring at me like I was still dear to him. But people don’t hurt what they hold dearHe did not answer at first. just looked at me, and I hated that look, hated how it made me melt. “I hope you’re doing well,” he said finally, his voice soft and careful like he was stepping on broken glass, “I hope you’re okay.”I laughed, but there was no humor in itMy chest tightened as I leaned back against the counter, my fingers digging into the marble. “Don’t act like you care about me,” I said, slower now, sharper, “keep that fake concern to yourself because I’m not buying it and I never will.”He looked down then, just for a second, and I saw it, that tiny
TOMMY..Three days had passed and I hadn’t been able to bring myself to see my father. Also running the company in his total absence was even harder than expected.I sat in my office and dragged a hand down my face. Memories of yesterday slipped into my mind. I had told my mother about my father’s cancer. She stared for a while, and then she nodded.Considering what he had done to her, I didn’t expect her to feel any remorse.I sighed. It felt like I was alone. Just I.My phone buzzed, and Laura’s name displayed on my screen.My stomach dipped. Gerard’s private investigator. I hadn’t heard from her for a while. I swallowed before picking up the call.“Hello,” she said, as soon as the line connected. “Good morning, sir.”“Good morning.”“I found something about your father…”Before she continued, I cut her off. “That would no longer be necessary.”Silence stretched between.My father was dying, and when he did, my mother and I could see each other as much as we wanted. I remembere
TOMMY..I sat in the booth on the far corner of the bar, my eyes lingering on the door, waiting for him to come.The music played in the background, softening the loud chatters of half-drunk men.I refilled my cup with the soda drink, its hissing sound filling my air.I took a sip and realized a beer would have been better. A better way to torture my stomach.A better way to loosen my chest.My eyes darted to the door as it swung open. Liam sauntered, his expression flat.I had called him and told him I had something to tell him.“Tommy,” Liam said, a smile slipping into his lips as he settled into the seat across from me. “How have you been doing?”I nodded. “Been quiet alright,” I said, voice low.Liam and I stared at each other. The air thick.I couldn’t believe how awkward it felt being around him. We used to be so close, and whenever we were together I never, I never hesitated to talk about the issues I had.Liam cleared his throat. “So you said you have something to tell me,”
TOMMY..An hour has passed. An hour of me staring at the door. An hour of getting up and pacing back and forth. At some point, I’ll stop and bite my fingers. My heart was thumping loudly, my skin still tugged tight against my muscles.A thought hit me, maybe I should call Liam. I mean even after what he had tried to do that day, he was still family.I reached for my phone and dialed Liam’s number. I dropped onto the chair, tapping my finger on my thighs, the dial tone slipping into my ears.No response.I grunted and then dialed again. Nothing.After a while, my father's doctor, Dr. Richard stepped out.“Your father’s awake,” he said, “he’s a bit better. You can see him briefly.”I nodded and followed behind me.The rooms smelled clean, and the soft hum of the machine filled the space. My father lay on the bed slightly upright. I finally noticed it.He had lost a lot of weight, and his skin was paler. How could I have noticed this?My father’s eyes found mine, and then his exp
Tommy..The question hung in the air, making the air cackle.I stared at Mason, waiting for an answer. But he just stared, his throat visibly tightening.“I’m sorry,” he said.I blinked, my mind spiraling. “You’re sorry?”I repeated, the worst tasting sour on my tongue. “Is that all you have to
Gerard..The next morning, I woke up with my eyelids feeling heavier and my body stiff. It felt like I had been dipped into the cement. I remembered Tommy had begged me to spend the night, but I couldn’t. Not with the guilt gnawing at my chest. I had told him I had work to do and I left it at
GERARD..“Well, you'd better grab you chair because this is going to be a long ride,” Kalea said.I rounded the desk and dropped into my seat. Valentina sat on the counter, while Kalea settled on the stool.“Now, speak,” Valentina said, voice tight.Kalea exhaled. “When you told your father about
TOMMY..We had sex over and over again. Every part of my body felt beautifully sore. It’s been hours since, the pleasurable warmth still lingered in my body. Gerard and I cuddled all through the night, his warmth seeping into me. It felt nice. I don’t think I have slept this well in my entire t







