Leyla froze for a few seconds, her heart pounding wildly. She took a deep breath, then moved toward Raymond, still pinned to the ground, his face red with anger and humiliation.
Leyla (in a trembling but firm voice) — Raymond… Why? Why are you doing this?
Raymond looked up at her, his gaze burning with a dull fury.
Raymond (growling) — Because you betrayed me, Leyla. I loved you… And you… you replaced me with… that guy.
He cast a hateful glance toward Sakolomé, who was still standing, impassive.
Leyla (clenching her fists) — I never belonged to you, Raymond. What you feel… it isn't love, it's possession. Look at yourself! You were ready to hit me! Me!
A heavy silence fell. Raymond looked away, but his breathing quickened.
Raymond (shouting) — Because I love you! Do you understand that?! I love you so much that…
His voice broke. His fists clenched against the ground.
Leyla (with pain in her voice) — That's not it, Raymond… Love isn't about chaining someone… It's not about threatening them, or wanting to crush the one they choose.
Raymond raised his head, his eyes shining with a strange gleam.
Raymond (coldly) — He bewitched you… That guy… he stole you from me. But believe me, Leyla… it doesn't end there.
Sakolomé stepped forward, his aura glowing faintly red.
Sakolomé (calmly) — One more word, and you'll regret it.
Raymond stared at him, a bitter smile twisting his lips.
Raymond (whispering) — You think you've won… but it's not over.
Leyla felt a chill run down her spine. She leaned in, her face just a few centimeters from Raymond's.
Leyla (in a low, grave voice) — If you really love me… stop. Because if you keep going… I will never recognize you as my friend again.
Raymond remained silent. Yet his eyes promised one thing only: bitterness.
Sakolomé cast a soft look at Leyla and gave a slight smile.
Sakolomé (calmly) — Well said, Leyla…
His eyes lingered on her for a moment before turning away toward Raymond. A thought crossed his mind: She is strong… stronger than I imagined.
Leyla didn't move immediately. Her gaze was still fixed on Raymond, and a shadow of sadness slid through her eyes. She had hoped to avoid such a scene… but it was too late.
Sakolomé snapped his fingers. The red dome dissipated instantly in a breath of energy.
Sakolomé (coldly) — I think this evening no longer makes any sense. Go home.
A heavy silence fell. Leyla took a deep breath before speaking, her voice low but firm.
Leyla — Raymond… I always believed in you. But tonight… you disappointed me.
Raymond's eyes widened. Those words hit harder than any blow.
Leyla (with a softness mixed with pain) — You only give weight to those who prefer to avoid you. Why… why can't you hold back your anger, even for the people you love?
Her lips curved into a sad smile, but her eyes shone with relentless sincerity.
Leyla — If you really loved me for who I am… you wouldn't have tried to hurt Sakolomé. Even if it hurts… love sometimes means acceptance, it means making sacrifices. You cannot believe everything belongs to you.
Raymond lowered his head, trembling, crushed by shame and anger intertwined.
Raymond (broken voice) — But… Leyla… I love you so much… I can't… I can't bear the idea of you being with someone else… it's… unbearable.
Leyla closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, calm and determined.
Leyla — I know it hurts. I know what you've been through. But that's why it's even sadder to see you like this…
She turned her back, her final words sharp as a blade.
Leyla — Write to me… when you understand what it means to love someone. Goodbye, Raymond.
Her footsteps echoed, fading into the night. Sakolomé cast a last look at Raymond, frozen and drained. He then understood how cruel reality could be.
Life… that's what it is. We don't always get what we desire the most. But instead of destroying ourselves over it, we have to learn to accept it.
A breath escaped him. Then he followed Leyla, thoughtful. And who knows… maybe one day, she will truly be his.
After all the turmoil, Sakolomé and Leyla took the road in silence. The night seemed heavier than on the way there. The streetlights cast a pale glow on their silhouettes, and every step echoed like a reflection of what had just happened.
Leyla said nothing. Her hands trembled slightly, as if the tension still refused to leave her. Sakolomé noticed from the corner of his eye but did not immediately add anything. He knew she needed a moment to catch her breath.
Sakolomé (softly) — Leyla… are you okay?
She finally lifted her head toward him. Her eyes shone with a mix of fatigue and guilt.
Leyla (in a low voice) — Sakolomé… I am so sorry about tonight.
Sakolomé gave a slight smile, calm, almost soothing.
Sakolomé — Don't worry. Honestly, I have been through worse.
She blinked, surprised.
Leyla — What? Worse than this?
He shrugged as if it were nothing. Which only tightened the knot in Leyla's throat. She lowered her eyes, her fingers gripping her jacket.
Leyla — I didn't want… it to end like this. For you to get caught up in all this… because of me.
Sakolomé (calm) — These things happen. Nothing more.
She lifted her head, intrigued by his light tone.
Leyla — You're really taking it well… You're not pretending?
Sakolomé (with a small smile) — You want me to get angry?
She shook her head quickly.
Leyla — No… Just… with another man, it would have been a disaster.
A brief silence passed, then she added, her smile tinged with melancholy:
Leyla — I didn't expect… that you'd be this strong. And above all… that you could manipulate the Nemesis system. I've been here for two years, and I've never had that privilege.
She swallowed hard, her features darkening.
Leyla (trembling voice) — If you hadn't been there… If you hadn't had that power… I don't dare imagine what could have happened.
Sakolomé looked at her silently, then exhaled softly, his words resonating like a promise:
Sakolomé — As long as I'm here, Leyla, nothing will happen to you. Believe me… Tonight was nothing compared to what I've already been through.
She stopped abruptly, staring at him for a long moment, her heart tight with an emotion she didn't fully understand. A faint smile stretched her lips.
Leyla — I don't know… how many times I can thank you, Sakolomé…
Sakolomé (with a slight smile, hands in pockets) — Meh… that's what friends are for, isn't it? To help each other when needed. You should take a taxi here; it'll be easier.
Leyla (nodding, but her gaze stayed locked on his) — Yes… but… do you think you'll be free another day? Just you and me… so we can talk, quietly?
Sakolomé (raising an eyebrow, then sighing softly) — I don't know… it'll depend on how much time my new job leaves me. I start tomorrow, you know.
Leyla (lowering her head, her fingers tightening slightly on her bag) — Oh… I understand. That's… too bad.
Seeing her like that, Sakolomé stepped closer. He gently laid his hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch.
Sakolomé (in a soft, almost reassuring voice) — Don't be sad, Leyla. As soon as I have a moment, I'll let you know… so you can introduce me to the other guys you met online.
Leyla suddenly lifted her head, her cheeks flushing scarlet. Her lips trembled slightly before letting out a frustrated breath.
Leyla (in a small voice) — That's… not funny, Sakolomé.
Sakolomé laughed softly, almost to break the tension, and patted her shoulder lightly, contrasting with his serious look.
Sakolomé — Relax… I was joking.
She finally smiled despite herself, but her eyes sparkled with a gleam she tried to hide. She nodded, a little hesitant.
Leyla — So… you promise me? As soon as you have time… you'll let me know?
Sakolomé looked at her for a few seconds without replying, then a sincere smile spread across his lips.
Sakolomé — Promise, Leyla.