Kyle’s question sliced through the air like a blade,sudden and sharp. I felt the weight of my past drop onto my shoulders again. I took a deep breath, holding his gaze before answering with complete honesty. “No. I distanced myself from them a long time ago. But… unfortunately, we still have business in common. Our families, the companies… I still have to see them occasionally.” Kyle just nodded, looking away. I saw the exact moment the chasm between us widened. For him, the fact that I still breathed the same air as Alexander and Jason,even if only for corporate necessity,was proof that I would never be completely clean. Silence fell over us again, thick and uncomfortable. I took a step toward the door, but stopped. There was something I needed to say, something I had been holding onto since that fateful night in the tenement. I turned back to him, keeping a safe distance. “Kyle, remember that night… when you invited me to your apartment?” He raised his eyebrows, curiosity winni
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