20

Charlie's world shattered as he witnessed Xander's lips locked with Cloud's. The kiss seared his soul, leaving an indelible scar. Tears gushed down his face like a torrent, scorching his cheeks. His heart convulsed, as if ripped apart by an invisible hand.

The agony was suffocating, stealing his voice. Charlie's chokehold silence was a scream in his mind, a desperate cry that refused to escape. His lungs burned, his chest heavy with the weight of betrayal.

How could he have been so blind? Xander's love was a lie, a cruel deception. Charlie's mind reeled, tormented by the truth: he was a burden, a pathetic partner loved out of pity. His thoughts hemorrhaged self-doubt and despair.

"Why did I ever believe him?" Charlie's silent scream echoed. "I'm no one, a mere shadow beside Cloud's radiance."

His legs buckled, feet dragging as if anchored to the floor. Charlie's body felt lifeless, drained of vitality. His eyes, once bright, now sunken and dark, framed by haunting circles. His skin, pale and clammy, clung to his fragile frame.

In mere weeks, Charlie's sparkle had fizzled, extinguished by the cruel reality. His beauty, lost amidst the anguish, now seemed a distant memory.

As Charlie's vision blurred, his legs gave out. He crumpled, his body surrendering to gravity.

Xander's superhuman speed kicked in, and he caught Charlie mere inches from the floor. Cradling him, Xander's face contorted in anguish.

"Charlie, my love, my heart!" Xander's desperate whisper shook.

Charlie's limp form, his eyes closed, seemed a fragile, broken doll. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, the only sign of life.

Xander's tears mingled with Charlie's, a heartbreaking testament to their shattered bond.

Charlie's eyes fluttered open, and Xander's worried face filled his vision. Memories of the kiss with Cloud flooded back, slicing through Charlie's heart like a dagger.

Before that fateful moment, Elijah had revealed the Silver Market's mistake, swapping him with Cloud. Xander had kept it hidden, leaving Charlie in the dark.

Charlie's gaze hardened, his voice laced with venom. "Why are you here?" he spat.

Xander's eyes pleaded, but Charlie cut him off.

"Don't! Stop fooling me!" Charlie's anger boiled over. "I know I'm not the one you wanted. Now, as you can see, I'm fine. Unfortunately, I didn't die. Go back to your baby!"

The words hung in the air, heavy with pain and betrayal.

Xander's face crumpled, his lips trembling. "Charlie, my love—"

"Love?" Charlie's laugh was bitter. "You call that love? You kissed Cloud, Xander. Your true mate, your perfect choice."

Charlie's eyes blazed, his voice cracking. "Leave me alone. I don't want your pity or your lies. Go back to Cloud. You two deserve each other."

Xander's face contorted, anguish etched on his features.

"Where is Elijah?" Charlie demanded, his voice laced with desperation. "I want to talk to him. I want to go with him. Call for Elijah and leave!"

Xander's face twisted in anguish, but he maintained a calm tone. "Elijah and Cloud left. They left a letter for you."

Charlie's eyes flashed with determination. "Good riddance. You can join them. Get out of my sight. I hate you!"

Xander's heart bled, but he understood Charlie's pain. Perhaps, if he had been more cautious, he could have avoided Cloud's manipulation.

Charlie's words cut deep, but Xander didn't defend himself. Instead, he listened, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Do you know what your precious Cloud said to me?" Charlie's voice trembled. "He called me pathetic, a weakling, a burden to you. He said you love me out of pity."

Charlie's eyes blazed, reliving the humiliation. "On that day, he held my cheeks and squeezed them, telling me to stay away from you – his man."

Xander's jaw clenched, fury simmering beneath his calm surface.

"Now, get out!" Charlie's voice rose, echoing through the room.

Xander's eyes locked onto Charlie's, filled with a silent promise: he would never let Charlie go.