the sin between us

secrets revealed

By the late afternoon, the villa was warm with the smell of roast beef and mashed potatoes, the kind of scent that made the place feel briefly like home. It was a family recipe that Evelyn loved.she had given up on her book and channeled her restless energy into cooking instead, chopping and stirring, until she no longer had to think. She had just finished setting the plates on the table when she heard the front door open and Avas' voice echo through the hallway, breathless with excitement."the slopes were insane today, you would have loved it!" Ava laughed, kicking her boots off. "I'm starving," she said. "Well perfect timing dinners ready hope you like beef and carbs" Evelyn says with a chuckle.

Mark followed behind her, cheeks flushed from the cold, hair mussed in a way that made Evelyn's breath catch. His eyes found hers almost immediately, and for a fleeting moment it felt like the whole day narrowed down to that single look — warm, tired, and devastating. They all settled at the table, Ava filling the silence with stories about skiing mishaps and near - collisions, while Mark praised the meal with quiet gratitude that made Evelyn's heart flutter far more than it should have.

After dinner, they migrated over to the couch, blankets thrown over their legs and pillows scattered around as Ava picked a cheesy romance. The glow from the screen danced across Marks' features, softening him, making him look younger, more human, less untouchable. Evelyn sat close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him, his shoulder nearly brushing hers. She slept her hands firmly in her lap, but her mind wouldn't stop whispering about how badly she wanted to reach out — just something as simple as holding his hand. How ridiculous, she scolded herself. Of all the sins waiting in the shadows, she was hung up on one that should have been harmless. And yet it wasn't harmless at all. Not when wanting it hurt so much.

Halfway through the movie, Ava's lively commentary slowed and eventually faded, her head sinking into the cushion as sleep overtook her. A soft snore slipped out, earning a quiet chuckle from Mark. Evelyn smiled too, but her pulse quickened when Marks' gaze drifted downward — to her hand resting on the blanket between them, fingers curled slightly as if waiting for something they would never be allowed to have. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, a flicker of something crossing his face before he cleared his throat and rose from the sofa." I'll carry her up," he murmured, gathering Ava carefully in his arms. Evelyn watched him disappear up the stairs, the sound of footsteps and a door softly closing, leaving her alone with the glow of the tv and a longing she had no idea how to tame. Moments later, he descended again, pausing only to switch off the lights before heading upstairs to his room—alone — leaving Evelyn with the heavy knowledge that wanting him didn't make him hers.It only made her feel worse about the way she felt about him.

Sat in her room alone wondering why he left her alone downstairs. Does he not feel the same way she does? She couldn't sleep the thoughts kept gnawing at her. She couldn't help herself, she got up and went to his room, lightly knocking on the door: "Its Evelyn, I couldn't sleep. I was wondering if we could talk". "Come in," he says. Walking into the room, she closes the door behind her. She sits on the bed next to him with so many things she wanted to say, but she couldn't get the words out ." How do you feel about me?" She asks slightly, hoping it was a one-way feeling so it would be easier to get over him.

"I feel happy with you, you make me feel comfortable and safe. I love being around you, you're beautiful and strong, and I want nothing but to kiss you and hold you, but I cant do that to Ava." Hearing him confess was horrible, it hurt more that he felt the way she did, but couldn't be with him." I have decided im gonna talk to her, I can't do this anymore it feels like were going behind her back, and maybe she'll be ok with it".

Outside the slightly cracked door, Ava stood frozen in the hallway, her hand still on the banister where she'd stopped mid-step. She hadn't meant eavesdrop — she had only been on her way downstairs to get some water before heading back to bed. But the second she heard her father's voice, low and trembling with confession, she couldn't move. Inside the room, Evelyn blinked up at Mark, eyes glossy with emotion." You really feel that way?" she whispered, as if afraid the truth might vanish if spoken too loud. Mark's expression softened, the weight of months of restraint written across the lines of his face." More than I should," he admitted. They drifted toward each other without thinking, the space between them dissolving under the heat of everything they'd been denying,

When his lips finally met hers, it wasn't rushed or wild — it was slow, careful, as though they were both terrified the world would break the moment apart. Neither of them knew Ava was outside the door, heart pounding, her entire world tilting as she listened to the two people she loved most kiss in the dim light of the room. She was conflicted. She was so angry that her best friend and father were doing this behind her back, and she was so betrayed, yet she felt happy for them. The two people she loved most were in love. She couldn't think of two people more suited to each other, but how could she be OK with this? It was her friend and her dad. It was so weird.

Ava went back to her room and sat in bed thinking about whether she should confront them or not. She was in her room sat on her bed, staring at the wall as everything replayed in her mind. The way his voice had softened. The way Evelyn laughed quietly before the kiss. She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to decide what hurt more — that they had kept it from her, or that she could see how real it was between them. Part of her wanted to storm into their room and demand answers, to shout until the ache in her chest was eased. But another part of her was scared that once it was out in the open nothing would ever be the same.

She lay there in silence. The thought filled her mind like a bad dream overwhelming her. Eventually, falling asleep, she woke up the next morning not wanting to go downstairs, not wanting to look at them. All she could see was betrayal. Creeping downstairs she could hear them whispering. Their voices low and careful, drifting through the quiet house. Ava paused on the stairs, her breath catching as she recognized the softness in their tones, the intimacy they weren't trying to hide it anymore. She stayed frozen there for a moment, listening, her heart aching with a mix of anger and sadness, before she quietly turned back, realizing whatever she chose to do next would change everything.