The weight of Damian’s words lingered in the air like a thundercloud, dense and electric. My chest tightened as the reality of it settled—Kenneth’s career, his pride, his entire sense of self, had just been undone by a single decision from my brother. What had once tied us together—business, loyalty, love—was now severed beyond repair.
Damian shifted the car into gear, his movements calm and deliberate. The crunch of gravel beneath the tires sounded final, almost ceremonial. As we drove away, I glanced back at the house that had once been my home. Kenneth stood beside Catherine, their silhouettes framed in the large window. Anger flickered in their eyes, mingled with disbelief. For a fleeting moment, I felt something I hadn’t allowed myself in years—relief.
The world outside moved in slow motion. Trees stretched toward the sky, the sunlight scattering through their branches in flashes of gold. Every familiar landmark we passed reminded me that life outside that house still existed—vibrant, untarnished, waiting for me to return to it.
Damian remained silent, giving me space to breathe. It was his way of showing care—never intrusive, always steady. When he finally spoke, his tone was low, measured.
“You deserve better than this,” he said, glancing at me briefly. “You always have. Now, you’ll finally have it.”
Tears welled in my eyes, though I fought to keep them from falling. “I never thought it would come to this,” I whispered.
“No one ever does,” he replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “But this isn’t the end. It’s the start of something better.”
I turned my gaze to the horizon, where the city opened up before us. The weight of betrayal still lingered, but it was tempered by something stronger—hope. For the first time in a long while, I could see the faint outline of freedom.