The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 191: Forgiveness

Chapter 191: Forgiveness

Damien crossed his arms, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "What happened? Did you confront Carlos? You were supposed to update me on whatever happened. I was going crazy worrying about you."

Rhys nodded, his throat tightening with a lump as he tried to compose himself. "I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just... things got complicated with Beatrix, and I didn’t handle it well."

Damien’s eyes softened, and he took a step closer. "Complicated how?"

Rhys took a shaky breath, struggling to find the right words to convey the depth of his turmoil. "I screwed up, Damien. I hurt her, and I couldn’t face her after that. I let my own insecurities get the best of me, and I pushed her away. Now she won’t answer my calls, and I don’t blame her."

Damien’s brows furrowed, his concern deepening. "You hurt her? What did you do, Rhys?"

Rhys looked away, unable to meet Damien’s gaze. The weight of his mistakes felt suffocating. "I lied to her, Damien. When she asked me if everything between us was real, I said no. But it wasn’t true. I just... I panicked, and I didn’t know how to handle the truth."

Damien frown deepened, "Why did you panic? What truth?"

Rhys looked at Damien and sighed, "Carlos wasn’t the one who had kidnapped me."

"What?! But we saw the video—it was him....how?"

Rhys shook his head, "Carlos says it’s his twin brother."

Damien scoffed, "What the fuck? He had a twin? But how come—

"He killed him trying to save me. That’s why we never found out. The person who I have spent most of my life hating wasn’t even alive." Rhys let out a mirthless chuckle.

"Even with him gone, he’s still managed to ruin my life."

Damien’s eyes widened in shock, his mind struggling to process the new information. "I can’t believe this. Carlos had a twin brother, and he killed him? That’s... that’s insane. And you’ve been carrying this burden all this time, Rhys?"

Rhys nodded, his voice filled with regret. "Yes, I have. I thought I had closure when I believed Carlos was responsible, but now everything’s turned upside down. I’ve been living with this anger, this need for revenge, and now it feels pointless."

Damien stepped closer to Rhys, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I can’t imagine what you’re going through, Rhys, but you have to remember that none of this is your fault. Carlos and his actions are what caused all of this pain, not you."

Rhys sighed heavily, his emotions finally beginning to bubble to the surface. "I know, Damien, but I still can’t shake the guilt. Beatrix... I pushed her away because I was scared of hurting her, but in doing so, I hurt her even more. I don’t know how to fix things now."

A mix of understanding and frustration flickered across Damien’s face. "Rhys, you can’t just lie about something like that. She trusted you, and now you’ve shattered that trust."

"I know, and I hate myself for it," Rhys admitted, his voice laced with regret. "But I didn’t think I deserved her, not after everything. I thought it was better to let her go than to keep hurting her."

Damien let out a heavy sigh, his tone softer now. "Rhys, you can’t make decisions for her. Only she gets to decide if she wants to stay or leave. But you owe it to her to be honest and face the consequences of your actions."

"She won’t believe me even if I do try Damien, even if I tell her the truth. She thinks I’m a liar.

She doesn’t trust me anymore."

"How do you expect her to trust you when you haven’t trusted her from the start?" Damien’s question nearly knocked him off the bed as he look at him with his brows creased hard together, looking speechless, "You earn trust with vulnerability Rhys.

Give her that. Tell her what scares you. It’s the only way you’re going to earn that trust back. It’s not fair to let her sit there and think she meant nothing to you -- you owe her the truth."

He frowned deeper, both appreciating the advice but hating how right he is, "How am I meant to do that? She doesn’t want to see me, or have anything to do with me."

Damien tilted his head, with a smug knowing smile, "When has that ever stopped you before?"

Rhys lifted his brows, blinking with a nod and a ’yeah, well that’s true’ expression.

Rhys nodded, the weight of Damien’s words sinking in. "You’re right. I need to talk to her, apologize, and try to make things right. Even if she doesn’t forgive me, I owe her the truth."

Damien’s expression softened, and he reached out to place a hand on Rhys’ shoulder. "I’m here for you, man. We all make mistakes, but it’s how we own up to them and learn from them that matters. Just remember, you’re not alone in this. You have people who care about you."

Rhys lifted his gaze at Damien and sighed, "What about you? Will you be seeing her too?"

Damien shook his head, "No. I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of achieving everything we have wanted. I can’t put her in danger.

I have gotten the support of the leaders of the various cartels in the country just a few weeds to get rid of and I will reunite with you guys until then you have to take care of her. Make her happy. "

Rhys nodded, understanding the gravity of Damien’s words. "I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right, for both of us. And when you’re ready, we’ll be here, waiting for you."

Damien smiled, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and gratitude. "Thank you, Rhys. I appreciate your support. Just remember, we’re a team, and we’ll get through this together."

With newfound resolve, Rhys straightened his posture and took a deep breath. "I’ll go talk to Beatrix. I’ll be honest with her, no matter how hard it is. I owe her that much."

Damien patted Rhys on the back, offering him a reassuring smile. "That’s the spirit. Just remember, it’s never too late to make amends and start over. I believe in you, Rhys."

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