Truth

Chapter Twelve

Bruno POV 

“What do you want me to do to him?”

I don’t answer immediately.

My jaw tightens as I stare at nothing in particular, my mind replaying the scene over and over again—his hand, her face, the way she looked at me.

Like I had no right to be there.

Like I had no right to step in.

I exhale slowly, my fingers curling into a fist at my side.

A part of me wants to say it.

Do something, make him pay.

Make sure he never even thinks of doing something like that again.

But another part—

The part that remembers her expression—

hesitates.

“She won’t want that,” I say finally, my voice low.

My friend frowns. “And since when do you care what she wants?”

I don’t answer that.

Because I don’t have one.

Instead, I turn slightly, my tone turning colder.

“But he’s not getting away with it.”

That much, I’m sure of.

My friend’s lips curl into a faint, satisfied smile. “Good. So what’s the plan?”

I walk toward the desk slowly, my gaze dropping to the file Collins signed earlier. I pick it up, flipping it open briefly before shutting it again.

“He’s done here,” I say, simple and final.

Jeffery raises a brow. “You’re firing him?”

I look up.

“Yes.”

The word comes without hesitation.

“No warnings. No second chances.”

My grip tightens on the file.

“He crossed a line he shouldn’t have even gone near.”

A brief silence follows.

Then my friend nods. “Alright. That’s clean.”

Clean.

Maybe.

But it doesn’t feel like enough.

Nothing about this feels enough.

I look toward the door again, like I half expect her to walk back in.

She doesn’t.

Of course she doesn’t.

My chest tightens slightly, something unfamiliar settling there.

Annoyance, Regret.

“I need to find her,” I mutter, more to myself than to him.

My friend catches it anyway.

“Oh?” he says, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone. “Now you want to talk?”

I shoot him a sharp look, but it doesn’t hold for long.

My gaze drops.

I shake my head slowly.

“No.”

It comes out quieter than I intended.

Jeffery watches me carefully, like he’s trying to read every thought I’m not saying out loud.

“Are you ready to tell her the truth?” he asks, his tone losing its teasing edge. “To actually explain why you broke up with her?”

The question hits harder than anything else he’s said.

I let out a long breath, dragging my hand through my hair as I turn away from him.

The truth.

If only it were that simple.

My chest tightens.

I don’t think this is a good idea.

No—

I know it’s not.

Going after her now, trying to explain… it’ll only make things worse. It’ll drag her back into something I’ve been trying so hard to keep her away from.

“I shouldn’t,” I mutter, more to myself than to him. “I’ll just confuse her again.”

Jeffery doesn’t respond immediately, so I keep going—because if I stop, I might change my mind.

“I’d rather she hates me,” I add quietly. “It’s better that way.”

Better than what?

Better than her knowing the truth.

Better than her watching me—

I cut the thought off before it can fully form.

Silence stretches.

“You’re not saying anything, Bruno,” Jeffery finally says, his voice softer now, almost cautious.

I straighten slightly, forcing my expression back into something controlled.

“I don’t think going after her is necessary,” I say, my tone firmer this time. “Let’s go back to the office. I’m done here.”

Done.

At least… that’s what I tell myself.

Jeffery lets out a frustrated breath.

“You’re hurting, Bruno,” he says bluntly. “I can see it. Anyone can.”

I don’t respond.

“Just go after her,” he presses. “Tell her you’re sorry. Talk to her like a normal human being for once.”

A humorless huff escapes me. Normal, right?

“I found out she hasn’t moved on,” he continues. “She’s still in love with you.”

That makes me freeze.

Just for a second.

Something in my chest tightens—sharp, sudden, dangerous.

But I don’t let it show.

“She’ll understand,” Jeffery adds. “If you tell her the truth, she’ll understand.”

I turn slowly to face him, my eyes narrowing slightly.

“Did you run a background check on her?” I ask, my voice calm—but edged. “How do you know she hasn’t moved on?”

Jeffery doesn’t flinch.

Instead, he shrugs lightly.

“I didn’t need to,” he says. “It’s obvious.”

I scoff, shaking my head.

“Nothing about her is obvious,” I reply quietly.

Not anymore.

Not after everything I did.

Jeffery steps closer, his voice lowering.

“You’re scared,” he says.

“Of what?”

“Of her finding out,” he answers without hesitation. “Of her looking at you differently. Of her not letting you go after she knows the truth.”

My expression hardens.

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I?” he challenges.

I hold his gaze for a moment.

Then look away.

Because this conversation is getting too close to something I’ve been trying to bury.

“I said we’re leaving,” I repeat, my voice colder now.

Jeffery studies me for a long second.

Then he sighs.

“Fine,” he mutters. “Run away again.”

The words sting.

But I don’t react.

I just walk past him toward the door, my steps steady—even if everything inside me isn’t.

Because if there’s one thing I’m sure of—

It’s that some truths…

Are better left unsaid.