In the Shadows of Regret

on his, but so did the overwhelming guilt. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands resting on his knees, staring at the floo

line he had always promis

and her best friend. Eduardo's phone buzzed on the nightstand-another message from C

e you slept well. Last

who had woven herself into their lives seamlessly. He had always seen her as part of Mariana's world, and yet last night had cha

oughts of Camila, and the kiss they had shared, gnawed at him relentlessly. Yet, there was also the g

en he was with her, there was a lightness, a sense of being understood and cared for, especially in those moments when Mariana felt far aw

presence in his life wasn't by accident. She had always been there, watching, waiting,

ndered back to the night before-the soft touch of Camila's lips, the way she had looked at him, as if she h

sumed him, the door open

g slung over her shoulder. Her smile was wide, genuine, as if nothi

ath. Here she was, the woman he had vowed to love and protect, the

e rising in his chest. "Hey, how was your mom's?"

crossing the room to give him a kiss. Her lips were soft, familiar, but as they b

d his face, concern flickering in th

ding too quickly. "Yeah, ju

rowing slightly, but she didn't press him. "Okay. I'm

at his world was beginning to unravel. And the worst part was, he knew that if Mariana found out, it wouldn't just be

uldn't let go

was persistent. Every message from her was like a tiny hook pulling him back into the mess he was trying to escape. She was alw

found himself standing in his office, staring at his pho

o. But we can't pretend last night didn

d-on and the desire to ignore it all and pretend nothing

ack: "We ne

se it was far enough from their usual spots that there was no chance of running int

do could see the anticipation in her eyes. She slid into the seat

," she said, her voice

his chair. "Camila, I don't know what's

ow. I know it's complicated. But you can't deny there's something between u

his voice low. "I

me. But you can't ignore what's happening between us either. You're not happy,

waiting for this moment. But Eduardo wasn't sure if her care for him was real, or if it was j

u," Eduardo admitted, his voice heavy with gu

asking you to leave Mariana. I'm just asking you to be honest w

re was something between them, that much was undeniable. But at what cost? He had promised

id, pulling his hand away. "

steady. "I'll be here, E

aiting for him with dinner already prepared. She smiled

said brightly. "Thought we c

about her day. She was completely unaware of the emotional storm swirling inside him. Marian

e he was the loyal, devoted husband Mariana believed him to be, and the other where

eautiful, even after all these years. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Eduardo sa

of his mind, there was