THE SIN BROTHER’S DAMNATION

01

EVA

"Let's break up, Shane."

I said, watching as Shane freeze mid-motion, his hand still wrapped around the edge of the counter. Slowly, he turned, his eyes dragging over me like I'd interrupted something far more important than my dignity.

"Did you say something just now?"

"I said, I'm breaking up with you."

For a split second, he just stared.

Then he laughed.

Not a chuckle. Not a surprised huff. A full, ugly burst of laughter that echoed in the room like I’d told the funniest joke of his life.

My brows knitted together, "Okay," I said flatly. "What's funny?"

"You are." He barely managed the words between laughs.

Something cold settled in my chest. Not hurt. It was clarity.

Thank God I'd packed my bags before he returned. I dragged the suitcase towards the door, and reached for my hand bag.

The laughter had already died as abruptly as it began. Not all at once, more like it tripped over itself, snagged on the look on my face. His smile lingered a second too long, crooked and unsure, before it slowly slid away.

"...You're really serious?" He said, looking at me now.

I didn't answer him. I didn't even look at him. My silence always irritated him more than any shouting match ever had. That's why I chose it.

He straightened, rolling his shoulders like he was resetting himself. “Okay,” he said lightly. Too lightly. “What is this? Some kind of test?”

I scoffed.

"Does it look like one? Since when have I ever played games?"

"Jesus Christ, Eva. Don't tell me this is about Hannah?"

Seriously how clueless can a man be?

Two years.

Two years of excuses. Of believing every apology meant he'd finally change.

I was done believing he'd ever change.

I reached for my handbag, noticing the way his grip tightened around the counter until his knuckles turned ghastly white.

I'd caught him making out with my junior colleague only hours earlier. And he'd still looked me straight in the eye and denied it.

As if I hadn't seen them.

As if the lipstick on his mouth and her perfume clinging to his clothes meant nothing.

I was dating him, not stupid.

"I thought I already apologized about that. Come on, stop being childish, and stay with me."

"Childish?"

I almost laughed.

Of all the things he could've called me. He has the audacity to call me childish, when in fact he's the childish, and immature one. He's like a leech, draining and sucking away all my energy.

"You think I'm being childish? Who's the one to get under any available pants? Shane, you f*****g screwed my junior colleague in the same place I work. You're the childish and selfish one!"

This wasn't his first apology. Or his second.

I'd forgiven him so many times I'd lost count. Every promise had ended the same way.

Since when had loving someone become childish? Or was Shane simply too narcissistic to see past himself?

He dragged a hand through his hair.

I recognized the gesture immediately.

Shane only got frustrated when he realized he wasn't getting his way.

He hadn't even come after me when I walked out. Instead, he'd gone bowling with his friends. That told me everything I needed to know.

"Look Shane, I'm done. This," I pointed between us, "...You, us, it's over. I can't continue this with you—"

"Fine, leave me." He snapped. His face twisted into an arrogant smirk as his eyes lingered on my packed luggage. "Break up with me and leave, Eva. Where are you even going to stay? You have nothing, and no one will want to put up with you for so long. I'm your only option, so I bet you'll come crawling back to me by the end of the week."

The words hit exactly where he intended.

How could I be so blind? I wasn't even surprised that Shane would say something like this, I mean, all of the signs were right in my face, yet I looked the other way, and chose to believe he was the best for me.

"You're going to regret this, Eva. And when you come back crawling, guess what? I'll take you back, OUT OF PITY." He sighs softly, and reached for my arm.

I yank my hand back from his grasp, hating how his hands felt against my skin. Once I'd craved those hands, for its touch, but now, it made my skin crawl.

"Goodbye, Shane." I said, and didn't wait for his response this time. I left the room and slammed the door to the apartment shut behind me.

I don't need him in my life again. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, right? I swallowed down the lump in my chest, and I took a deep breath to keep myself going.

I took one last glance at his apartment and regretted it immediately. Shane stared out his apartment window from above, glaring down at me with pure hostility.

He'd been my everything for almost two years, I imagined a happy ending for us. But here I am, ready to start a new chapter in my life.

I got into a cab that drove me straight to Kelly's apartment. She's the only one I could think of at the moment.

The moment the cab pulled away, my hands began to shake.

I'd done it.

After two years...

I had actually left.

"Eva?" Kelly screamed as she opened the door for me. "Oh my God, it's been weeks since I last saw you." She threw her arms around me, smothering me with her usual affection.

"I broke up with Shane." I murmured, my voice tight as I finally let my tears pour.

"Oh damn." she purred, hugging me even tighter. "I'm sorry about that, but this is a good thing." She pulled back to place both hands on my shoulders, her beautiful grey eyes, taking me in closely. "I mean, he's an asshole and didn't deserve you. You're an angel, Eva, and deserves to be treated as one, nothing less. Shane was a controlling jerk and I don't mean in a hot way."

Kelly helped me carry my bag, and led me into her apartment. It's a tiny, yet cool and comfortable place.

"He f*****g cheated on me with my colleague, the same place I work, Kelly!" My heart ached as I recounted what happened earlier today. Shane was such a mistake.

"He's such an ugly dick." She hissed, her nose scrunched up with resentment. "I bet he begged you to stay, didn't he?"

I nodded slowly. "He tried to gaslight me again."

"What a f*****g loser. I'm glad you're done for good this time. I'll make sure to give him a piece of my mind if he comes for you again. Asshole. How was he even able to charm you?"

"Black magic?" I managed a small smile, grateful I had a friend like her. She always found a way to make my mood light, and was always there for me.

After a few minutes of catching up on other things about our lives, Kelly came up with the question.

"So... Where are you going to live now? I assume Shane kept the apartment which means you found somewhere else to stay."

Now this was the real problem. My decision to leave Shane was rash, although I don't regret it, but I was supposed to think about my accommodation first. Now I have no idea what to do about that.

"I'm not sure yet," I rest my elbow on the arm rest to hold up my chin. "I'm sure there are a bunch of cheap motels nearby. I'll probably stay a few nights there, and then go for my apartment hunting." I said, more to myself than her. Her brows shot up with disapproval.

Apartments are expensive in New York, and finding the right one for a decent price takes a lot of time, not just a few hours. Unfortunately, bartending part time isn't exactly lucrative unless those horny rich men are desperate enough to throw their money at you. Crashing on the streets seems better than staying in an abusive relationship.

"I don't think that's cool, Eva. I have an idea." She grabbed my hands, holding it in both of hers. "I know of an agent, he always has the best and affordable apartments to rent out. I'll send you his address, while you crash here for the meantime. Seriously, I don't want you out there."

I shook my head dismissively, "Oh Kelly, thank you... But no, I-I can't..."

"And I want you to, Eva. What are best friends for? I can't let you sleep on the street while you can stay here."

"It's not in the street, Kelly. Motel."

"They're still in the street. Besides I want to watch over you and make sure you don't do anything stupid and that bastard doesn't come close to you again."

Tears welled in my eyes again. "Kelly you don't have to,"

"I swear to God, Eva Giovanni, if you shed more one tear, I'll kill you!" She glared at me.

A laugh escaped me, and I pulled her into a hug. "Thank you so much, Kelly. This means a lot to me, thank you!"

"You're my best friend, Eva. Of course I'd do anything for you. Except letting you see that bastard again."

We both laughed. It wasn't enough to erase the ache in my chest.

But for the first time that day, I remembered what breathing felt like.

She pulled back from the hug, "I'll go make you something, now. I bet you're hungry. Rest for now, then later, I'll send you the address, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you so much!"

She rolled her eyes dramatically and left for the kitchen.