Chapter 6

Desmond's POV

The urge to go after Ryan was overwhelming. I wanted to chase after him, to explain, But Tasha signaled to me that she would handle the situation. She knew I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, to process what had just happened.

So, reluctantly, I let Tasha take charge and disappeared into the depths of my racing thoughts. Emotions swirled within me like a tempest. Fear crept in, wondering if this would irreparably damage my marriage with Mary. Would she ever be able to look at me the same way again?

As I sat there, waiting anxiously for Tasha, my mind was overrun with a whirlwind of thoughts. The weight of the situation began to settle heavily on my shoulders, and the potential consequences of Ryan's discovery loomed ominously in my mind.

The fear of Ryan telling Mary, about this heartbreaking betrayal consumed me. The thought of losing her, the love of my life, was unbearable. I couldn't fathom the pain and disappointment she would feel if she found out about my affair with her sister. It was a betrayal of the highest magnitude, and I knew it could shatter our marriage irreparably.

Not only was my relationship with Mary at stake, but also the trust and respect of everyone I knew. The mere thought of becoming the subject of gossip and scorn made my stomach churn. Friends and family, who once held me in high regard, would now see me as a cheater, a heartless villain. The thought of their judgment and condemnation was suffocating.

And then there was my job. The fear of losing it hung over me like a dark cloud. How could I face my colleagues and superiors knowing the truth? Would they see me as untrustworthy, incapable of maintaining integrity? The thought of being unemployed, with a tarnished reputation, added another layer of dread to an already overwhelming situation.

Unable to bear the weight of my thoughts any longer, I decided to go and find Tasha. I needed answers, reassurance, anything to calm the storm raging inside me. As I made my way towards the stairs, my heart pounded in my chest, anticipation and fear intertwining.

I saw Tasha and Ryan, engrossed in a conversation. I observed them from a distance, trying to decipher their expressions. Tasha seemed to be pleading with Ryan, her gestures filled with desperation. But the look on Ryan's face betrayed his reluctance, his inclination to reveal the truth.

"Please Ryan, you can't do this to me" Tasha pleaded she looked more frustrated than scared, I couldn't blame her, she had little or nothing to lose.

"I can't believe this Tasha, your sister is a nice person. Why would you do such a terrible thing to her?"

"It's fucking complicated Ryan, just do as I say please" Tasha pleaded further.

"No Tasha, I am sorry but I can't keep sure a secret" My heart sank further as I heard those words. The realization that Ryan might indeed disclose our secret filled me with an overwhelming sense of dread. The consequences of his actions flashed before my eyes like a horror movie. The potential fallout, the shattered relationships, and the loss of trust and love, all seemed inevitable.

Fear gripped me tightly, paralyzing my every move. I felt trapped as if the walls were closing in around me. The weight of guilt and regret pressed down on me, threatening to suffocate my very being.

As Tasha continued to plead with Ryan, her desperation evident in her every word, I couldn't bear to stand idly by any longer. I summoned the courage to step out of my hiding place and approach them. The moment Ryan caught sight of me, fear flashed across his face, and he instinctively tried to flee.

Without thinking, I reacted impulsively, my adrenaline surging through my veins. I sprinted after him, my heart pounding in my chest, determined to confront him and demand answers. But in a cruel twist of fate, as Ryan attempted to make his escape, he lost his footing and slipped on the stairs.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched in shock, my eyes widening as he tumbled and crashed to the ground. The sound of his body hitting the hard surface echoed in my ears, and my breath caught in my throat. I froze in my tracks, my legs refusing to carry me any further.

A mixture of horror, disbelief, and guilt washed over me like a tidal wave. I never intended for things to escalate to this point. I never wanted anyone to get hurt. The consequences of my actions suddenly became all too real, and the weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders.

As I stood there, staring at Ryan's crumpled form, a flood of thoughts and emotions overwhelmed me. Regret gnawed at my conscience, consuming me with guilt. I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted to cause harm to anyone, especially not Ryan, despite the pain he had the potential to inflict.

Shock and disbelief coursed through my veins, making it difficult to process the gravity of the situation. It was as if the world had momentarily stopped, and I was trapped in a nightmarish scene. The sight of Ryan lying there, injured and vulnerable.

At that moment, all the thoughts and worries about my marriage, my reputation, and my job faded into the background. The only thing that mattered was the well-being of the person lying before me, the person I had unintentionally caused harm to. The realization that my actions had led to this unfortunate accident weighed heavily on my conscience.

As the shock began to subside, a surge of concern and compassion took its place. I rushed to Ryan's side, my hands trembling as I reached out to check on him. The guilt and remorse were overwhelming, but I knew that I had to do everything in my power to help him.

"Is....is he dead?" Tasha asked looking scared as hell.