Fallout

Two months had passed since that night when Eduardo had shown up at our door, and life had settled into a fragile peace. Gray and I had grown closer, and tonight, we decided to have a quiet evening at home. We curled up on the couch, the soft glow of the TV screen lighting up the room as we watched an old movie, something we’d both seen a dozen times but still loved.

Gray was relaxed, his arm draped around me as he absentmindedly played with my hair. I leaned into him, enjoying the simple comfort of being together without any looming threats or secrets hanging over us. For the first time in a while, everything felt normal—like we were just an ordinary couple, spending an ordinary night together.

As the movie played on, I glanced at Him. His face was calm, almost content, and I felt a warmth in my chest, knowing that we had come through so much together. I was about to say something when the movie was suddenly interrupted by a breaking news alert.

We both turned our attention to the screen. The news anchor appeared, her expression grave, as she began to speak. “We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news. Eduardo Spencer, a prominent businessman and former CEO, has been arrested on multiple charges, including bribery, embezzlement, conspiracy, and first-degree murder. The arrest follows an extensive investigation into his involvement in numerous illegal activities spanning several decades.”

My breath caught in my throat. Eduardo—Grayson’s father—was being arrested? I looked at Him expecting shock, anger, or any sign of emotion, but he remained calm, almost indifferent. His eyes stayed fixed on the screen, his expression unreadable.

The anchor continued, detailing the charges against Eduardo, including allegations of money laundering, extortion, and ties to organized crime. The list seemed endless, each accusation more damning than the last. It was clear that this wasn’t just a simple case of bribery—Eduardo was being taken down for everything he had ever done.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Gray. How could he be so calm? How could he sit there, watching his father’s downfall, without so much as a flicker of emotion?

“Gray…” I began, my voice tentative. “Did you know about this?”

He finally turned to me, his face still impassive. “There are a lot of people who’ve wanted to see my father fall,” he said evenly. “He’s made a lot of enemies over the years. It was only a matter of time before someone decided to act.”

His words were carefully measured, revealing nothing and everything all at once. There was something in his tone that made me pause, something that hinted at a deeper involvement, but I didn’t press him further. I knew Him well enough to know when he was hiding something, but I also knew that he wouldn’t tell me unless he was ready.

I nodded slowly, trying to process everything. Gray turned his attention back to the screen as the news continued, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than he was letting on. My heart ached for him, knowing that despite everything, this was still his father, and now he was facing the consequences of his actions.

But Grayson didn’t seem affected. If anything, he looked resolved, as if this was something he had come to terms with long ago. I wanted to comfort him, to offer some kind of solace, but I knew better than to push. Gray was strong—stronger than anyone I knew—but even he had his limits.

Instead, I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Whatever happens, I’m here for you,” I whispered, hoping he could hear the sincerity in my voice.

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. “I know,” he replied softly.

We sat in silence, watching the news unfold, the weight of the moment settling over us like a heavy blanket. I didn’t ask any more questions, and He didn’t offer any more answers. But deep down, I knew that this was far from over. The truth had a way of revealing itself, and when it did, we would face it together, no matter what.

As the broadcast ended, He turned off the TV, and we sat there in the quiet, the only sound the beating of our hearts. Whatever the future held, I knew that we would get through it together. And that was enough—for now.

The silence in the room was palpable, thick with unspoken tension. Gray hadn’t moved since the news ended, his eyes fixed on the blank screen as if trying to process everything. I could feel the weight of the moment, heavy and suffocating, pressing down on both of us.

“Gray…” I whispered, not sure how to bridge the gap that had suddenly opened up between us. “Are you… okay?”

He didn’t respond right away, his grip tightening slightly on me, like he was drawing strength from the contact. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, too calm. “I’m fine, Eli. This was going to happen sooner or later.”

“But still… he’s your dad,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Doesn’t it… doesn’t it hurt?”

Gray’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he wasn’t going to answer. Then he sighed, a sound that seemed to carry years of unresolved pain. “He stopped being my father a long time ago.”

There was something in his tone that made my heart ache, a deep sadness mixed with resignation. Despite everything Eduardo had done, despite all the pain and betrayal, I knew a part of Him still longed for the father he’d never really had.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I wish things could have been different.”

He shook his head, finally turning to look at me with eyes that seemed darker than usual, full of stormy emotions he was struggling to keep under control. “Don’t be. This is justice. He’s being punished for his wrongdoings.”

There was a finality in his words that made me fall silent. I could see that He had already come to terms with this outcome, that he had accepted it in a way I wasn’t sure I could ever fully understand.

We sat there in silence, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on us. I leaned into him, offering what little comfort I could, and he held me close, his body tense but his grip steady.

After what felt like an eternity, Gray spoke again, his voice low and resolute. “He won’t be able to hurt us anymore, Eli. I’ll make sure of it. He’ll never step foot near us again, and he’ll never have the chance to do anything hurtful.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with a promise I knew he intended to keep. I nodded, though a part of me couldn’t shake the unease that had settled deep in my chest.

“What happens now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, not really expecting an answer.

He didn’t reply immediately, his gaze distant as if he was thinking about something far away, something I couldn’t see. When he finally spoke, his tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “Now… we make sure that he’s held accountable for everything he’s done.”

I didn’t push any further, sensing that whatever Gray was dealing with, he wasn’t ready to talk about it. The silence between us felt different now—no longer heavy, but still filled with things left unsaid.

I shifted slightly, resting my head against his chest, and felt his arms tighten around me. The night stretched on, thick with the knowledge of what had just happened, and I knew that neither of us was ready to face what came next.