The grief at that moment was indescribable. Jacobs was more than just a brother; he was Victor's rock, the only one who had stood by him through the hustle. And now he was gone, his death a direct result of his love and support for Victor. The feeling of guilt was a heavy, physical weight.By the time relatives and friends arrived, a somber crowd had gathered. Many were weeping openly, because Jacobs was a man of the people—humble, kind, and without a hint of arrogance. His death was a great loss to everyone who knew him.Wise elders approached Victor, offering condolences and words of encouragement. "We are so sorry for your loss," one said, "and for what happened to your office. Now is the time to begin funeral arrangements."Throughout it all, Shanny was a constant presence at Victor's side, her comforting hand on his back. Her quiet strength was a balm to his raw grief. He loved her, and finding comfort in her presence wasn't hard.Hospital procedures were completed quickly, and t

The information from the police officer left Victor in a state of confused disbelief. It felt like no time had passed since his office burned down and his younger brother, Jacobs, had died. The officer, noticing the deep pain on his face, ended the interview. "You can go and rest for now," she said gently. "I'll call you when we need you for another interrogation."Victor left the station, a mixture of anger and sorrow twisting in his gut. On his way home, his phone buzzed with a new message: "From today on, it's better to sleep with your eyes open."The threat was meant to intimidate him, but it didn't. He had already lost his brother—the one person who mattered most—and the loss made him unconcerned with his own safety. "What should be known will be known," he said to himself, and continued on his way.The Road IncidentAs he walked, flashbacks of Jacobs filled his mind, so vivid they made him wish a car would just hit him and end his pain. He stepped into the road without looking.

After seeing the betrayal, Victor had no choice but to run. He fled back home, but there was no escape. Every room, every scent, every memory was filled with Shanny. He didn't know where to hide his shame or what he would tell his family and friends.Meanwhile, Shanny and her boyfriend remained oblivious. They had no idea Victor had been there or that he had just left.Back at his house, Victor was haunted. The image of Shanny with the other man played on a loop in his mind, with every heartbeat bringing a fresh wave of pain. Unable to bear it, he decided to find a nearby bar to drink until the memories faded.A Familiar FaceHe arrived at the bar and ordered a whiskey with ice. The bartender, Tony, was surprised to see him. It wasn't Victor's habit to frequent such places."Victor?" Tony asked, concern in his voice. "What brings you here? I'm used to seeing you at your restaurant with Shanny. How are you? And I'm so sorry about your brother. My deepest condolences."Victor didn't ans

Sophia's eyes fell on the files, a grim premonition settling over her. The first page was a newspaper clipping detailing a tragic accident, a restaurant fire, and a death. Her hand trembled as she read the name: Jacobs, Victor's brother. The world seemed to shrink around her. The paper rustled in her hands, a hollow sound in the silent office. It wasn’t just an accident; the article mentioned a fire that had destroyed a nearby business, a popular local restaurant. It was Victor’s.Every word on the page was a hammer blow. The casual remark she had made, "The spirit of death is really haunting you," now felt like a cruel irony. The man she had scolded, the man she had poured coffee on, was a man broken by loss. He hadn't been careless; he had been grieving. Sophia felt a fresh wave of shame, followed by a cold, unsettling fear. The files contained a police report, photos of the burnt-out restaurant, and details of a man arrested at the scene. The description matched the muscular young

The storm was gone, leaving behind a clean, cool air and the distant murmur of the waves. Victor carried Sophia from the hut to a nearby lounge, the gentle weight of her in his arms a strange, comforting feeling. He carefully placed her on a plush sofa, and she stirred, her eyes fluttering open."The rain stopped," she said, her voice soft and a little groggy."It did," Victor replied, a small smile on his face. He sat in a chair across from her. "You fell asleep."Sophia's face flushed with a faint blush. "I'm sorry. I don't know why, I just felt so safe." The words hung in the air between them, an honest admission that felt more intimate than a kiss. She sat up, her eyes falling on his muscular arms and the vest he was wearing. "Thank you for this." She held out his t-shirt. "You should put it back on.""Keep it," he said, shaking his head. "I'm fine."A moment of silence passed before the weight of their earlier meeting settled between them. The conversation they were meant to have