Hector's POV
My thumb hovers over the send button. I tell myself it's the only way. The only way to keep her safe. But it feels like I'm pressing the trigger to a gun aimed at my own chest.
"Sarah,this is goodbye." No. Not enough. Not nearly enough.
I erased the words, my chest tightening. " I love you, forgive me" I wanted to type it. God, I wanted to but I couldn't. Because if I did, she'd leave everything and follow me, she'd fight for me. And if she fought, she'd get hurt. The thought of that alone, I cannot bear it. I can't live in a world where she doesn't exist.
So, I erased everything and typed the words, with every letter my chest tightened. "Sarah,this is goodbye." Five seconds passed and with my eyes closed I hit send. I grip my phone so hard my knuckles turn white. I felt a hand on my shoulder– Daniel, my trusted friend and ally. "It's for the best my friend, she'll be safe this way."
I signed. " I know- but this hurts." he removed his hands from my shoulder "I know, but better this than her dead."
Few seconds later, my phone vibrated– an Incoming call–Sarah. My throat tightens, I found my finger hovering over her name. God I want to answer, I want to hear her voice, tell her I love her, tell her this isn't real - that I would never leave her unless I had no other choice,that she should wait for me, I'll be back, I have to leave to keep her safe. But I didn't,I can't. Because hearing her voice now- might just kill me.
I let the call ring out. Again,Again. Again and Again.
—
Leaving
I had booked a hotel with a different identity two days ago. The drive to the hotel was silent. I had just left a part of me, my peace ,my Sarah, my world. I stood in the dimly lit hotel room, phone in hand, thumb hovering over the text I had typed. I should have known, they'll come after me-again. I formed a fist angrily, I tightened it, I felt pain on my palm but it was nothing compared to the pain I feel inside - the pain I've caused her.
My chest felt impossibly tight, as though the air had thickened into something solid I couldn't quite inhale. The faint hum of the old air conditioner filled the silence, rattling every few seconds. Outside, the roar of the city—honking cars, distant music—kept reminding me the world was still spinning, indifferent to the storm in my head.
I closed his eyes, recalling the look on Sarah's face the last time we've been together in my apartment. She had been laughing at some silly joke, her eyes sparkling with warmth. I smiled back, trying to lock the moment into memory. Even then, I had known it might be the last time i'd see her smile like that.
I glanced down at my phone again. The words felt so final, so cold. But I saw no other choice.
—
The Threat
A buzzing vibration broke my focus. I stared at the screen: an unknown number. I clenched his jaw. With a deep breath, I answered.
A low voice crackled on the line. "Mr.Vargas you're late on your report." My grip tightened. "I told you—I'm done. I won't send you any intel. The entire operation was illegal."
A short, humorless laugh. "Illegal? You knew what you were signing up for, Vargas. Or have you grown a conscience now?"
I swallowed, flashes of the old missions searing through his mind. The late-night stakeouts, the infiltration, the data he'd stolen from unsuspecting targets. All done in the name of national security. Except now, I realized it had never been that simple– I was deceived- my entire team was.
"You're going to regret crossing us," the voice continued. "And so will that pretty girlfriend of yours." My blood ran cold. "Leave her out of this."
A pause. "That's up to you."
The call ended. I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear, heart pounding. They'd threatened Sarah before, but this was the first time they'd mentioned her so directly. I know these men—they are powerful, well-connected, and utterly ruthless. If they couldn't get me to cooperate, they'd use Sarah as leverage or worse.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, raking a hand through his hair. I had to keep Sarah safe. That was all that mattered now.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The phone vibrated almost immediately—Sarah was calling. I swallowed hard, forcing himself not to answer. Each ring tore at his resolve. By the time it went to voicemail, he felt sick.
I know her, she wouldn't stop calling-unless…i switched off my phone. It was the only way.
I stood and crossed the small room, yanking open the curtains. The city lights stretched out below, mocking me with their normalcy. I let my mind wander to the day I first met Sarah. The coffee shop had been nearly empty, just a few customers sipping lattes. She'd walked in, rummaging through her purse for change, hair slightly messy from the wind outside. I offered to pay for her drink, some spontaneous act of kindness I couldn't explain.
She'd laughed, a little embarrassed but grateful. We ended up sharing a table, talking for minutes. It was so natural—like I had known her forever. By the time we exchanged numbers, I felt an inexplicable warmth I hadn't experienced in years.
And now I was repaying that warmth by ripping her heart out with a text.
I squeezed his eyes shut, fists clenched. This was the only way to keep her out of the crossfire. If they thought I didn't care about her, they might have left her alone. At least, that was the hope.