> "Knives in Our Backs, Smiles on Their Faces" ššŖ
Let's tear this heart wide open, shall we?
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Chapter 20: Knives in Our Backs, Smiles on Their Faces
It started with a leak.
Pete's private business documents.
Mek's unreleased art portfolio.
Photos. DMs. Voice recordings.
All over the media. All twisted into a scandal.
Accusations. Misquotes.
"Proof" they were using each other for clout and status.
And worst of allāa video clip edited to make it seem like Pete had paid Mek to date him.
---
Three Hours Earlier...
Mek was pacing their condo, fists clenched.
"Who the hell did this?! That clip was cut! I neverāyou neverā!"
Pete had already gone still.
Face hard. Eyes cold. Mafia mode: activated.
"I know who did it," Pete said darkly.
Mek froze. "Who?"
Pete turned his phone around.
The CCTV image showed someone in Pete's office.
Digging through drawers. Copying files.
It was...
Beam.
Pete's childhood friend.
The one who always smiled.
The one who said, "You two are meant to be."
Mek's voice broke. "No. He wouldn'tā¦"
But Pete already had the footage playingā
Beam handing a flash drive to a well-known gossip blogger.
Money changing hands.
A smile. A fucking smile.
---
Later That Night
Pete stormed into Beam's apartment.
Didn't knock.
Didn't speak.
Just threw the betrayal across the coffee table like a loaded gun.
Beam tried to laugh. "It's not what you thinkā"
"You sold us out," Pete said quietly. "For what? Money? Jealousy? Or just because you couldn't stand to see me happy?"
Beam's voice cracked. "You changed, Pete! Ever since him! You used to listen to meānow it's always Mek, Mek, Mek!"
Mek walked in right then, quiet and trembling.
"And you hated that," Mek whispered. "You hated that he chose me."
Beam looked at himāno apology in his eyes.
"You don't belong in our world," he snapped. "You'll ruin him."
Pete's fist hit the wall next to Beam's head. Not him. But close.
"You think I'd let you decide who belongs in my life?" Pete growled. "We're done. Friendship, loyalty, everything. You're dead to me."
Beam's voice dropped. "You'll regret this."
Pete smirked. "No. You will."
---
That Night, Back at Home
Mek was curled in bed, silent.
Pete climbed in behind him. Arms wrapped around Mek's waist. Forehead to shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Mek whispered. "It's my fault. If you hadn'tā"
"No," Pete said. "It's not your fault he was fake. It's not your fault you loved people who lied."
"ā¦But it hurts."
Pete kissed the back of his neck. "Then we'll hurt together."