Page 56 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“You wanted me to hurt. To suffer even more.”

“Don’t think that. Not even once,” Nick muttered through gritted teeth, his eyes filling with tears.

“How many times have you wished it was me instead of them, huh? How many times?”

“Stop it!” Nick yelled.

Silence settled between them, both of them breathing unevenly.

“You’re being… really unfair to me. I’ve never thought that.”

Mano’s gaze drifted, unfocused. “You know how many times I wished they’d killed me too?” he said, his words hollow. “That the cops had arrived just a little later… so he would’ve shot me too.”

Nick blinked, swallowing. “I left Volos because I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to get away. Far away. Leave everything behind. I wanted… I wanted to forget. Everything reminded me of them. I couldn’t breathe.” He exhaled. “That’s why I left. And you were alone…” He lowered his head, sobs finally slipping through. “And I’ll regret it for the rest of my life… I’m sorry.” He wiped his face.

He took a breath, trying to steady himself before looking up at him again. “I’m so sorry…”

A tear slid down Mano’s cheek.

“I know you’ll never forgive me, but I didn’t leave to punish you. I left because I was in pain. Because I thought if I left, it would stop. That I’d forget.” His voice cracked. “But none of that happened. I didn’t forget… and I lost my brother too.”

Neither of them spoke. Silence lingered for too long.

“Time doesn’t go backward,” Mano said at last, wiping his face. “We have to live with the consequences.”

Nick’s tear-filled eyes stayed locked on him.

“A lot happened while you were gone,” Mano added. “Things you never found out about.”

Nick blinked. “What else happened?”

Mano turned away. “I’m booking a hotel room. I’ll be out of your way soon.”

Nick watched him go.

A few minutes later, Mano returned to the living room, pulling his suitcase behind him.

Seeing him, Nick got to his feet. “How are you going to check in at this hour? Why don’t you stay here tonight?”

“When you’ve got money, anything’s possible.” Mano didn’t stop walking. “You should know that better than anyone.”

“How long are you staying?” Nick asked, his voice tight with worry.

Mano let out a quiet breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there for your company meeting.” His tone dropped. “I know your job matters the most to you.” He reached for the doorknob and opened the door. He stepped outside, pulling his suitcase with him. The door shut behind him.

Nick stood there before grabbing his phone. “Jeremy, pick my brother up and take him to the hotel.”

“Yes, Mr. Jones,” Jeremy replied, already spotting Mano approaching down the street.

He stepped out of the car, but Mano didn’t slow down. “Mr. Mano!” he called. “Please, let me drive you.”

Mano glanced at him. “Tell my brother I don’t need his help now. When I needed him, he was gone.” The words came out low in Greek as he kept walking, suitcase rolling behind him, leaving the driver standing there, confused.

Mano got into a taxi and pulled out his phone. Ody’s name was the first thing he saw. Where are you now? How are things going? Everything okay?

He stared at the message for a long moment, thumb hovering over the screen, then locked it and turned to the window. There was no way to explain any of this. Not in words that made sense.

By the time he reached the hotel, exhaustion had sunk deep into his bones. He stepped into the room, dropped his suitcase, and let himself fall onto the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.