Game of Ambition

What the hell do you think you’re doing, Tristán?

The knocks on the door echoed like thunder through the house. Lya shuddered on the couch, her heart pounding. Tristán, standing by the window, watched with an impassive expression before walking toward the entrance.

—Open the damn door!— Alexander’s voice roared from outside.

Tristán sighed and, without hurrying, turned the doorknob. The door swung open violently, and Alexander stormed in like a raging storm. His eyes were bloodshot with fury, his jaw clenched.

—What the hell do you think you’re doing, Tristán?— he spat, his voice dripping with venom. —Do you think you’re some kind of hero for bringing her here? We both know you’re just using her!

Tristán tilted his head, watching him with unsettling calm.

—Using her?— he repeated with a mocking smirk. —That’s interesting, coming from you.—

Alexander clenched his fists.

—You’re scum. You can’t love anyone. All you do is destroy everything you touch.

Tristán let out a dry laugh.

—You’re right. I don’t love anyone. I only hurt people.— His gaze hardened. —And that’s why I’m here… to save this poor girl from you.

Alexander lost control. He shoved Tristán forcefully against the doorframe, his breath ragged with rage.

—You don’t know what you’re talking about! Lya belongs to me, she loves me!

But Tristán didn’t even flinch.

—Really? Because you don’t seem very interested in protecting her. You only show up when it suits you.

The silence between them was suffocating, thick with hatred and resentment. Lya remained motionless on the couch, her legs drawn to her chest, trembling.

Alexander shoved Tristán aside and moved toward her. His steps were heavy, his expression hard and unfocused.

—What the hell were you thinking?— His voice exploded in the air, making her shrink. —How could you go to him? The worst person you could have chosen?

Lya blinked, panic clouding her mind.

—I had no other choice…

—That’s a damn excuse!— Alexander slammed his fist against the table. —You’re a fool for trusting him!

The words were like knives. Something inside Lya snapped. Her body stopped trembling. Rage burned in her chest.

—You left me!— she screamed with all the strength of her pain. —You abandoned me with just a note, like the coward you are!

Alexander gritted his teeth, but Lya wasn’t done.

—You’re heartless! You have no right to come here and demand anything!

She stood up, intent on leaving, but before she could react, Alexander grabbed her arm forcefully.

—I’m not done with you!

His grip was firm. Too strong. Lya felt a sharp pain.

— Let me go!— She struggled, but he didn’t loosen his hold.

Tristán, who had been silently observing until now, finally moved. His voice, when he spoke, was a blade of ice.

—Let her go, Alexander. Now.

Alexander shot him a glare.

—Stay out of this.

But Tristán wasn’t smirking anymore. There was no mockery on his face. Only dark determination.

—If you don’t release her at this time…— He took a step forward. —I swear you’ll regret it.

The tension was unbearable. Lya felt the air grow heavy, as if the house itself were holding its breath.

Alexander hesitated for a second, but his fury remained intact.

And in that moment, everything could explode.

Alexander clenched his jaw so tightly that the muscles in his face trembled. His rage was an uncontrollable storm, but finally, he loosened his fingers and let go of Lya.

The movement was abrupt. Her body lost balance, and she fell to her knees on the floor with a choked gasp. Her trembling hands pressed against the carpet, her ragged breathing filling the room.

A heavy silence settled for a moment.

And then, a sharp sound shattered the air.

Tristán, his face hardened with anger, had punched Alexander, making him stumble. The impact was so strong that Alexander’s head snapped to the side, a thin trail of blood escaping from the freshly split cut on his lip.

But Alexander didn’t stay still. He straightened up with a dark expression and lunged at Tristán with all his pent-up fury.

The two clashed brutally, shoving each other with force. Alexander landed a punch to Tristán’s abdomen, making him grunt. But Tristán responded with another blow, hitting Alexander square in the cheekbone, snapping his head back.

The sound of fists striking flesh and heavy breaths filled the space. Lya, still on the floor, watched them frozen, her heart hammering, unable to move.

Finally, Alexander stepped back, panting, his chest rising and falling violently. He wiped his bloody lips with the back of his hand, glaring at Tristán with pure hatred.

—This isn’t over— he spat, his voice raw with fury.

And without another word, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls shake.

The silence left behind was deafening.

Tristán, his knuckles reddened and his face smeared with blood, turned his gaze to Lya. His expression changed instantly. All the rage dissipated, leaving only concern.

He approached her and carefully knelt down, sliding one arm under her legs and the other beneath her back.

— Come on, I’ll take you to bed,” he whispered.

She didn’t resist. Her body was too weak, too exhausted. Tristán laid her gently on the soft sheets and then pulled out his phone, dialing quickly.

—I’m calling the doctor.

But before he could, Lya lifted a trembling hand and placed it over his, stopping him.

—No — she whispered. — I’m fine.

Tristán looked at her skeptically but didn’t argue.

Lya averted her gaze, feeling the weight in her chest, a piercing emptiness spreading like a shadow.

— Now I understand everything you told me…—she murmured, her voice barely audible, as if saying it out loud would finally break her completely.

She didn’t wait for a response.

In a desperate gesture, with pain clouding her reason, she leaned in and kissed him.

Her lips trembled, but the touch was soft, slow, as if searching for something she knew she wouldn’t find. Tristán didn’t pull away, but he didn’t respond immediately either. His hand remained motionless on the sheets as Lya’s warmth burned against him.

She felt how sadness tightened in her throat, how her tears threatened to fall.

Because in that kiss, there was no passion.

Only despair.