Focus: Words That Cut
The next day—
The air felt heavier than usual.
Not because of the investigation.
Not because of Arjun.
But because something had shifted.
And Eric knew it.
He found them in the studio.
Together.
Again.
John and Rayan.
Talking.
Working.
Close.
This time—
Eric didn't hesitate.
He walked straight in.
Steps firm. Expression cold.
"John."
His voice cut through the room.
Both of them looked up.
Rayan's eyes flickered with quiet curiosity.
John's… unreadable.
"We need to talk," Eric said.
John nodded once. "Give us a minute."
"No."
The word came out sharp.
Immediate.
"I'll say it here."
A pause.
John frowned slightly.
"…Eric."
But Eric didn't stop.
He looked at Rayan.
Directly.
Then back at John.
And said—
"Whatever you think this is—between us—it's nothing."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sudden.
John didn't move.
Didn't react.
But something in his eyes shifted.
Just slightly.
Eric continued.
Cold. Controlled.
"We knew each other before," he said. "That's it."
A beat.
"Past."
Rayan stayed quiet.
Watching.
"I'm only working with you for one reason," Eric added, looking at John.
"To find the truth."
His voice didn't shake.
Didn't break.
But something underneath it—
Did.
"And after that…" he paused.
Just for a second.
"…we go back to being strangers."
The words landed.
Hard.
John's fingers tightened slightly at his side.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
Eric forced himself to continue.
Even when something inside him resisted.
"I don't care who you spend time with," he said.
A glance toward Rayan.
"Or who you choose."
Silence filled the room.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
For a moment—
It felt like everything had stopped.
Then—
"…Understood," John said.
Calm.
Steady.
Just like always.
Too calm.
That was worse.
Much worse.
Eric's chest tightened.
But he ignored it.
Turned.
And walked out.
Behind him—
Rayan exhaled slowly.
"…That was harsh," he muttered.
John didn't respond.
He was still looking at the space where Eric had been standing.
His expression unchanged.
But his grip on the file in his hand—
Tightened.
Just a little more.
"…You okay?" Rayan asked.
A pause.
Then—
"Yes," John said.
Simple.
Controlled.
But something was off.
Not broken.
Not obvious.
But there.
Outside—
Eric didn't stop walking.
Didn't look back.
But his steps—
Were heavier than before.
Because the words he said…
Weren't entirely true.
And that—
Was the worst part.
End of Chapter 10 💔