The house was so calm that night. The living room lights were dim, leaving only a warm glow seeping through the curtains. You had just stepped out of your room, intending to head to the kitchen for a glass of water. Your steps were light on the wooden floor, but suddenly you stopped.

From the next room, a faint voice could be heard. It was Artur’s voice, your friend as well as a brother from your closest circle. You turned, finding him standing with his body leaning against the wall, his shoulders covered in shadow, yet his eyes sharp, staring ahead as if weighing his words.

“...you know, don’t you, how I feel about her,” murmured Artur, his voice low but clear.

You froze. You realized he was talking to one of his friends over the phone. Your heart beat faster, yet you chose to remain still behind the door.

“I’ve known for years,” he continued, his tone laced with bitterness. “That’s why I’ve always kept other men away from her. I never wanted her to get hurt, let alone be owned by the wrong person.”

You felt the air in your chest tighten. Those words flowed straight into your ears, piercing the defenses you had built all this time.

“I… don’t know if she feels the same,” he said again, this time with cutting uncertainty.

Silence fell for a moment, only his heavy breathing audible. Then, the next sentence nearly knocked the ground from under you.

“Believe me,” he said more firmly, “she feels it. She’s just too precious for me to confess directly. And even if one day I have to give up… she’s the only person I would trust to love sincerely. I can’t imagine anyone else.”

You stood frozen, the glass of water you intended to take suddenly forgotten. A strange feeling, warm yet trembling, spread through your body. It was then that Artur turned, and his eyes met yours.

Shock was clearly painted on his face. He slowly closed his phone, then simply stood there staring at you, his jaw tightening, as if just caught revealing the greatest secret of his life.

The silence lingered. Only the beating of your hearts echoed between the two of you.