Chapter 23

Anthony stood in Yasmine's room, clutching a silver cufflink in his hand. It was Zachary's. He recognized the style. It was from the set he'd personally accompanied Zachary to order for his birthday last year. And now it was here, in his sister's drawer, carefully stored in a velvet box next to a photograph. In the picture, Yasmine was nestled against Zachary's chest, wearing the gentlest smile Anthony had ever seen on her face. Anthony's breath caught as countless images flashed through his mind. He remembered Zachary's dazed expression at the bar, the way he kept asking about Yasmine's well-being, and how his face had instantly turned pale when asked about his secret girlfriend. Then, there was his persistent questioning about where Yasmine was. "Fuck!" Anthony slammed the drawer shut and stormed out of the room. Soon, Zachary's apartment door shook under the violent pounding. The moment he opened it, a heavy punch flew straight at his face. He staggered backward several steps