ALISHA
The silence in the car is deafening.Cole's knuckles are white on the steering wheel, his face a mask of stone, while Samantha stares out the window, wiping silent tears that keep falling.The city lights blur past us, each one a reminder of the shattered evening behind us.
As we enter the apartment, Samantha and I watch Cole walk halfway through the living room before freezing.His shoulders fall with a long sigh, the weight of fifteen years of lies visible in his posture.No words, no movement - just a silent statue of pain.
Samantha moves toward her father, and I hold my breath as she wraps her arms around him from behind.Such a simple gesture, but loaded with meaning.
"Dad?I know why Mom accepted the check from Carmen.Can I tell you?"
He turns, and something in his eyes breaks my heart.He nods, unable to speak.
"Mom told me she found out Grandma was sick when she was pregnant with me.Nanna needed medication, but her insurance didn't cover it."Samantha's voice wavers."Mom said she made an arrangement to get the money to pay for the medicines."
Cole cradles Samantha's face between his palms, tears gathering in his eyes as they stare at each other.The revelation adds another layer to this complicated tragedy - no villains, just broken people making impossible choices.
"I'm sorry, Sam.If I—"
"Dad, it's okay."The forgiveness in her voice is pure, unconditional.
They embrace tightly, and Cole's whispered "I love you, Sam" carries years of lost moments within it.
"I love you too, Dad."After a moment, Samantha pulls back slightly."Do you mind if I go to my room to call Rachel?"
"No, go ahead."
As Samantha disappears down the hallway, Cole's eyes meet mine.I open my mouth to speak, but before I can, he turns and hurries from the room.When he reappears minutes later, he's changed into grey workout pants and a white t-shirt, his armor against emotional pain.
"I'll be in the gym.Don't stay up for me."The door slams behind him, the sound echoing through the apartment like a gunshot.
I sink into the nearest chair, letting out a heavy sigh.I'll give you time to cool off, Cole Walker, but I won't let you push me away.Not with this.
An hour later, I slip into the gym dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie.The dark space is broken only by light from the back area.Following the rhythmic sounds of fists hitting leather, I find Cole attacking the punching bag with controlled fury.Streams of sweat run down his chest, his muscles coiled with tension.Even tormented, he's breathtaking.
His face is grim as he fights the demons of his mother's betrayal.The capable man he is, he's trying to handle this alone.But not this time.With this beast, he has me by his side.I approach carefully, making sure he sees me.
"Go to bed, Alisha."
I plant my hands on my hips."No."
He huffs, landing another combination of punches."Don't go stubborn on me, Alex."
"I won't if you stop shutting me out."
He grabs his water bottle, taking long pulls while swiping a towel across his chest.Through the mirror, his eyes find mine.I lift my chin, meeting his gaze steadily.
"Talk to me, Cole."
He straightens, something raw breaking through his control."Fine, you want the truth?I'm fucked up, Alex.I'm a raging sea of anger, and I can't get it to stop."The towel hits the floor as he turns back to the bag, his strikes more violent."My insides are burning like hot magma, and it's consuming me."A powerful kick makes the bag swing wildly."I'm staying away from you because I don't want to hurt you by saying things I don't mean."
He stops, pushing fingers through his sweat-dampened hair as he faces the mirror again.The pain radiating from him pulls me forward until I'm standing behind him.
"Cole."
I move to face him, placing my hand over his racing heart.His sharp intake of breath when I stroke his clenched jaw makes my own chest tight.He leans into my touch, eyes closing.
"I love you, and I'm not going anywhere."
His mouth crashes onto mine, years of pain and need pouring into the kiss.Like fire meeting gasoline, passion explodes between us - not just lust, but something deeper, more primal.A need to connect, to heal, to forget.I press closer, matching his intensity, letting him channel his anguish into our embrace.
