Clyde entered the room with a tray of food, his eyes locking onto mine.
I managed a small smile, grateful for the distraction.
We ate in silence, the tension palpable.
Finished, I pushed the plate away.
My gaze met Clyde's.
"Clyde, I..." My voice trembled.
"Sleeping with you was a mistake," I blurted.
Clyde's calm demeanor didn't waver.
He reached for my hand.
I jerked it away.
"No, don't touch me!"
Tears streamed down my face.
"How could we do this?" I yelled.
"How could we betray Ani's trust?"
My words poured out in anguish.
"You're equally at fault!"
Clyde's expression remained serene.
"Dahlia, calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down!" I shouted.
"You took advantage of me."
"You knew I was vulnerable."
Clyde's voice remained gentle.
"Dahlia, stop."
But I couldn't.
Guilt and anger consumed me.
Clyde's calm facade cracked, revealing a depth of emotion.
"Why are you giving up on us?" he demanded, his voice laced with desperation.
"Our love is real, Dahlia. We've spent seven years building something beautiful."
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face.
"You're married, Clyde. You made vows to my sister."
He sneered, disdain twisting his features.
"Don't call it that. What I have with Ani is a facade, a convenience. A societal expectation."
"Our love is the real thing," he insisted.
I stood firm, despite the tremble in my voice.
"That's not an excuse. You chose to marry her, to promise her love and fidelity."
Clyde's voice rose, anger and frustration boiling over.
"Vows I never meant. Vows I made to placate everyone but myself."
"Ani deserves better," I countered.
"She deserves a husband who loves her, truly loves her."
Clyde's eyes blazed.
"You're just going to walk away? Leave me for the sake of your guilt?"
Our argument escalated, words hurled like daggers.
The hotel room echoed with our anguish, the tension palpable.
"How can you do this to me?" Clyde demanded.
"To us?"
I sobbed.
"How could you do this to Ani?"
The question hung in the air, a challenge.
Clyde's expression faltered.
For a moment, I saw the cracks in his armor.
But he regained composure.
"We're not done, Dahlia."
"This isn't over."
I slapped Clyde, the crack of my palm against his cheek echoing through the room.
"Face reality!" I shouted.
"We're over. Finished."
My words cut deep.
Clyde's eyes widened.
"Dahlia, please..."
"I don't love you anymore," I declared.
The truth spilled out.
"I can't keep living this lie."
Clyde's face crumpled.
But I turned away.
Storming out of the hotel room.
I hailed a taxi.
Sobs wracked my body.
The driver's concerned glances met mine.
But I just shook my head.
At home.
I wiped away tears.
Composing myself.
The mirror reflected.
Red-rimmed eyes.
Flushed cheeks.
A fragile smile.
I took a deep breath.
Steeling myself.
For the uncertain road ahead.
I walked into the backyard, finding Ani tenderly nurturing our garden.
Her smile brightened as I approached.
"Hey, sis! I missed you."
I hugged her tightly.
"Sorry I didn't come home last night. It was a crazy day."
Ani's eyes sparkled with concern.
"Everything okay?"
I forced a smile.
"Yeah, just work stuff."
I pulled back.
"Love you, Ani."
"Love you too," she replied.
I stepped away.
Excusing myself.
I dialed Lara's number.
"Hey, girl! I'm so sorry I left early," Lara said.
"What happened with Mr. Jenkins?"
I took a deep breath.
"He tried to take advantage of me."
Lara gasped.
"Oh, Dahlia, I'm so sorry."
"But that's not all," she continued.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone bought the production company."
Lara's tone shifted.
"And?"
"There's a new director."
Pause.
"You still got the gig!"
My heart soared.
"Really?"
"Yes! The new director loves your work."
Elation washed over me.