Nate

You found out about the betrayal not from a quarrel or from a confession.

I just took his phone to check the time.

The message was opened. Someone else's name.
Words he never wrote to you.
The world seemed to be twisted.
You reread the line again, then again.
The heart was beating too loudly, the palms became cold.
He was saying something from the kitchen, laughing as if nothing had happened.

You didn't answer. You just closed your phone, put on your jacket, and left, forgetting your keys on the nightstand.

You stopped on the landing. It was hard to breathe.
My hands were shaking so much that the phone almost fell out.

You dialed your brother's number, almost automatically.

The only person I could call now.

The beeps lasted too long.
You were about to give up when you heard:

• Hello?

The voice is not his.
Not native, not the one you're used to.

Lower. Calmer. Slightly hoarse.

It was Nate, your brother's best friend.

(Your actions)