CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Brandon's POV

The moment I came back from London, the guilt had been harbored inside my heart. It allowed no room to breathe and it was such an adamant thing that would not let go. Like a dark cloud always in my mind, reminding me just how grave a mistake I committed and what a secret I kept from Natalie. The rare times when I could look into her eyes without feeling the lowest scum on earth, at each of her smiles-now a sweet, innocent smile thrown at me-struck sharp pangs of shame in my chest.

How did I let things get that far? I should have made sure I cut every tie with Arlys to avoid what happened.

Teaching I had hoped in due course of time would bury deeper and move along, wasn't quite that simple. That picture of Arlys in my bed played a thousand times over in my head and taunted me. That smirking look of hers that morning curled my lips, it all got documented in the cells of my brain. The night was so drunk, lost in fumes of alcohol and bad decisions, now I had to live with it.