TWINS OF TRUTH AND THUNDER

HARTMANN'S POV I foolishly stood in front of the door with a box of cookies in my hand. Without giving it much thought, my fingers entered the code. "Zero, four, two, seven." A beep came from the keypad. The lock swung. Our anniversary is still the passcode. April 27. He hadn't altered it. He still has feelings for me. As I entered, I smiled at the thought. I smelt freshly baked cookies as soon as I walked into the quiet condo. I put the box on the table like a gift that would make him happy. Next month, we are getting married. We embarked on a journey of three years filled with plans, laughter, disagreements, and love. I touched my abdomen. Twins. He was unaware at the time. I intended for it to be unexpected. This was meant to be a joyful occasion. I made my way to the bedroom. Just before I knocked, my hand stopped. A noise. A groan. A woman's groan fills the air. I went cold. No. It isn't possible. I slowly pushed the door open. I shoved it after that. She was there. nude. above him. Between gasps, her voice poured out. "Dave—oh God, yes—Dave." I felt cold. Was there a joke here? Was it just a bad dream? Her fingers gripped his chest as her long hair adhered to his perspiring skin. Dave placed his hands on her hips. He had yet to see me. I consider Marlene to be my closest companion. Marlene. She is my best friend. At last, he raised his head. His face went white. Her gaze expanded. "L-Liesl." At first, I remained silent. I remained motionless. I shook my voice and whispered to myself, "No… no, no, no—this can't be happening." Both of them hurried to hide. "Liesl, I—" My voice cracked as I said, "You did this." "You two." "We didn't intend for it to occur—" Don't. Just don't. My chest tightened. My eyes were burning. You had the option to tell me that you preferred someone else. You didn't need to speak behind my back. He parted his lips. "Listen, Liesl—" "Konrad, I would rather not hear it!" He looked as though someone had just struck him. "And you." I looked over at Marlene. "You actually hurt me like this?" "All right, I apologise. However, I adore him. In addition, I am pregnant. Silence fell. Then something inside of me exploded. I laughed. Out loud. Horrible. That's a lot of money. You're carrying his child? Whoa. "Liesl—" "Don't even," I interrupted him. "You two are worthy of one another. You both have a reputation for stabbing people in the back, lying, and skulking around. ideal fit. I moved forward and gave her a face slap. Her hand flew to her cheek as she gasped. "You deserved that." "Liesl, please stop!" "Why? Are you afraid I'll hit her once more? Remember that she's pregnant? Like poison, I spit out the word. He came over to me. "Please, let's discuss this." "Oh, you want to talk now?" I squinted. For your post-s*x snack, should I go bake more cookies? He winced. Excellent. I said in a low, resentful voice, "I was going to tell you today." "I was about to announce that we would soon become parents, Love. However, you destroyed everything. I came here with the intention of making you happy, but instead you stabbed me in the heart. He cast his gaze downward. I feel guilty. "Was it worthwhile?" I enquired. "Was ruining my best friend worth all of our possessions?" He didn't respond. Indeed. I had that thought. With her arms folded across her chest, Marlene stood behind him. "Remember, I didn't plan this." "Oh, really? You just stumbled and ended up sharing a bed with him? "You're treating people unfairly." "No. I am being truthful. As soon as I introduced you, you were fully aware of what you were doing. "Don't—Liesl." "Konrad, don't you? Don't expose the truth? With his voice trembling, he took a step forward. "You're not getting it. She approached me. I didn't intend for it to get that far. I still adore you. "You adore me?" I gazed at him. "You display it in a humorous manner." I looked back at Marlene. "You always claimed that your ideal partner was sweet, kind, and already engaged. I ought to have noticed. She turned her head away. I chuckled once more, raw and bitter. "And to consider... I had planned to see you the following month. I gestured to both of them. "I hope to never see you two again. Not on the street. I am not in the shop. Never. I turned around after walking towards the door. "An additional item." I gave Marlene another slap. "That's for feigning to be my friend." She let out a gasp. "And this—" I snatched a handful of her hair and dragged her onto the bed. "—is to remind you of the person you messed with." Konrad came running over. "Stop it, Liesel! You'll harm the infant! I stepped back and let go. I had a burning sensation in my heart. "Baby? Anyone could have that. Do you honestly believe she was only having s*x with you? His gaze expanded. Marlene appeared injured. She yelled, "You know nothing about me!" "I am sufficiently knowledgeable." "You're being mean!" I said, "I'm being honest." "And believe me, I haven't even begun yet." Konrad attempted to grasp my hand. "Please, let's make this right. I can't let you go. "You did that already." "Avoid saying that." "Why not? It's accurate. "Liesl, we were going to live together—" I cut in, "We still are." The twins and I are still together. Without you. He stopped. "Twins?" I touched my stomach. "You were to become a father. But you're nothing now. He opened his mouth. He appeared to be about to cry. "Liesl—" "Preserve it." I turned to leave. I took out my phone. I called the one person I still trusted. "Greta? Please pack my belongings. I'm going. Indeed, I will be leaving this evening. Get the jet ready. I ended the call. The sun continued to shine outside as if it didn't mind that the world had just fallen apart. "I have you," I whispered to the two lives developing inside of me. Regardless. Now they were mine. I didn't require affection. I required tranquillity. And even if I had to abandon everything, I was going to find it.