hompso

ly a mask of cold indifference, was now softened, almost vulnerable. There was an intensity in his gaze, a raw, naked adoration

he confirmation I had come for. The undeniable truth. He loved her. Truly, deeply loved her. The kind of love that transcended logic, that

the keys, a cascade of notes filling the opulent hall. The applause at the end was deafening, a wave of adula

tner, without whom none of this would be possible." She paused, a coy smile playing on her lips, her eyes darting towards Anderso

een earlier was gone, replaced by a deep, unsettling pain. He looked like a man being slowly, agonizingly tortured. The casual menti

are so honored to have Mr. Anderson Mathews, a true patron of the arts and a dear

rson has been a pillar of support throughout my career. A true

otlight, didn't offer a polite wave. He just turned and walked quickly to

ving through the throng of people. I caught up to him in the dimly lit corridor j

nd haunted, fixed on my face, devoid of any warmth. "What are yo

mmered, trying to expl

explanation. He just dragged me out of the building, his pace furious, his grip bruising. I stumbled along behind h

seasoned professional, took one look at Anderson's grim face and quickly go

wasn't tender, it wasn't loving. It was a brutal act of possession, a desperate attempt to erase the image o

is anger, his frustration, his consuming despair, all pouring into me, a toxic flood. My heart ached

the dim light. "Don't you dare try to talk,

elf to accept it, to endure it. This was the price of my escape. This was the final payment. I wrapped my arms around him,

stroked my cheek, a tentative, almost gentle touch. He buried his face in my neck, his