CONFLICTED EMOTIONS

DAMIEN

I storm out of the room, slamming the door harder than I mean to. My heart’s racing, and every step I take feels heavy with anger. The ocean breeze hits me as I walk out onto the balcony, but it does nothing to cool the fire burning in my chest. How could she? How could she stand there, so calm, so innocent, with that guy, and act like I’m the one overreacting?

I fish my phone out of my pocket, my hands shaking as I scroll through my contacts. I need to talk to someone. Someone who’ll understand. Evans. He’s always been my sounding board, the one person who’s seen me through everything. I dial his number, pacing the length of the balcony as it rings.

“Damien, my man!” Evans’s voice comes through the phone, full of energy as usual. “How’s the Maldives treating you? Are you guys living it up in paradise or what?”

I hesitate, staring out at the ocean. The view is breathtaking, the kind of postcard-perfect scene people dream about. But it feels like a lie. “It’s not exactly what I