Bed of roses

Confessions

THOMAS POV

I could see the anger in Joe's eyes, and I knew that I had to tread carefully. I had been expecting this confrontation for a while now, but I had hoped to avoid it.

"Joe, I think we need to talk about this," I said, trying to sound calm.

Joe's expression didn't change, but I could sense a tension in his body.

"What's there to talk about, Thomas?" he asked, his voice cold.

I took a deep breath, trying to think of what to say next.

"Joe, I know that you're upset, but please listen to me," I said, trying to sound sincere.

Joe raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical.

"I'm listening," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I took another deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.

"Joe, I know that I've hurt you, and for that, I'm truly sorry," I said, trying to sound genuine.

Joe snorted, his expression dismissive.

"Sorry? You're sorry? You've been screwing my wife behind my back, and you're sorry?" he asked, his voice incredulous.

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I had hurt Joe deeply.

"Joe, please understand-"

But Joe cut me off, his voice rising in anger.

"No, Thomas, I don't want to understand. I want to know why. Why did you do it? Why did you betray me like this?" he asked, his eyes blazing with anger.

I took a deep breath, trying to think of what to say next.

"Joe, I-"

But before I could finish, Martha spoke up.

"Joe, stop. Please," she said, her voice soft.

Joe turned to her, his expression angry.

"No, Martha. I want to know why. I want to know why Thomas betrayed me like this," he said, his voice firm.

Martha looked at me, her eyes pleading.

"Thomas, please tell him. Tell him the truth," she said, her voice soft.

I took a deep breath, knowing that I had to tell Joe the truth.

"Joe, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for hurting you. But the truth is, I've always loved Martha. I've loved her since the day we met, and I've never stopped loving her," I said, my voice sincere.

Joe's expression changed, and for a moment, I saw a flash of pain in his eyes.

"You've always loved her? You've always loved my wife?" he asked, his voice incredulous.

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Yes, Joe. I'm sorry. I know that I've hurt you, and for that, I'm truly sorry," I said, trying to sound genuine.

Joe looked at me, his eyes filled with anger and pain.

"You're sorry? You're sorry for ruining my marriage? For betraying me?" he asked, his voice rising in anger.

I felt a surge of fear, knowing that Joe was on the verge of losing control.

"Joe, please-"

But before I could finish, Joe's fist connected with my face, sending me crashing to the floor.

As I looked up at Joe, I saw a mixture of anger and pain in his eyes.

"You're going to pay for this, Thomas. You're going to pay for ruining my marriage," he said, his voice cold and menacing