I then requested permission to speak with Stephanie from the detective, my mind racing with questions and emotions. The detective accepted my request, and I walked over to Stephanie, who was held by policemen on each side. I couldn't believe what she had done, and I needed to know why. I was filled with a mix of emotions - anger, sadness, and betrayal.
"You liar!" I shouted at her, my voice echoing through the air. "What has Ryan done to you? Why would you end his life like that? He was your friend, Stephanie. We all thought you cared about him."
Stephanie looked up at me, her eyes cold and calculating. She didn't look remorseful at all, and that only fueled my anger. I could see a hint of smugness in her expression, as if she was proud of what she had done.
"Ryan was just a pawn in your game, wasn't he?" I continued, my voice shaking with emotion. "You used him to get to me, to hurt me. But why? What did I ever do to you?"
Stephanie's expression didn't change, but I could see a flicker of anger in her eyes. She was trying to maintain her composure, but I could see the cracks beginning to show.
"You were supposed to be with me, Gabriel," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "We were meant to be together. But you chose Sarah over me, and that's why I had to do what I did."
I was taken aback by her words. How could she possibly justify what she had done? I thought we had moved past our breakup, that we had both moved on with our lives.
"That's not true," I said, my voice firm. "You're just trying to justify what you've done. You're a murderer, Stephanie. You took an innocent life, and now you're trying to blame me for it?"
Stephanie's expression didn't change, but I could see the anger building up inside her.
"I did what I had to do," she said, her voice cold and detached. "And I'd do it again if I had to."
I was horrified by her words, and I knew that I had to get away from her. I turned to the detective and nodded.
"I'm done here," I said. "I don't want to hear anything else from her."
As they took Stephanie away, I felt a wave of emotions wash over me like a tsunami. I was devastated, feeling a mix of sadness, anger, and betrayal that seemed to suffocate me. I couldn't believe that Stephanie, someone I had once cared about, could be capable of such wickedness. The thought of Ryan's life being taken by her hands was unbearable, and I couldn't help but wonder how I had missed the signs.
Sarah came forward, her eyes filled with concern and compassion, and began consoling me. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight as if she could physically hold together the pieces of my shattered heart.
"Gabriel, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "I'm here for you. We'll get through this together, every step of the way."
I buried my face in her shoulder, feeling a lump form in my throat as I struggled to contain my emotions. I couldn't speak, couldn't express the jumble of feelings that were swirling inside me like a vortex.
"It's okay, Gabriel," Sarah continued, her voice a gentle breeze on a summer day. "Let it out. You don't have to be strong right now. I'm here to hold you up."
I took a deep breath, feeling the tears prick at the corners of my eyes like a thousand needles. I let out a sob, and Sarah held me closer, her arms a safe haven in the midst of the storm.
"I just can't believe it," I said, my voice shaking like a leaf in an autumn gust. "Stephanie, of all people. I thought we were friends, that we had a connection. But I guess I was wrong."
Sarah stroked my hair, her touch soothing and calming. "I know, baby. It's a shock. But we'll get through this. We'll find a way to heal, to move forward."
I pulled back, looking at Sarah through tear-filled eyes. Her face was a picture of compassion, her eyes welling up with tears as she gazed at me.
"Thank you, Sarah," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just being here for me means everything. You're my rock, my safe haven."
Sarah smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "I'll always be here for you, Gabriel. We're in this together, always."
As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the emotions of the moment became too much to bear. We both knew we needed a moment to escape the pain and the sorrow, to find solace in each other's love. And so, we shared a passionate kiss, our lips meeting in a tender yet fierce embrace. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in our love.
"I love you," Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible as we broke apart for a moment. Her breath danced across my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
"I love you too," I replied, my voice shaking with emotion. My heart was racing, my soul on fire with desire.
We kissed again, deeper and longer this time, our hearts beating as one. The tension between us was palpable, the chemistry explosive. I felt like I was drowning in her eyes, suffocating in her touch.
Finally, we pulled back, gasping for air. Sarah smiled, her eyes shining with tears. Her lips were swollen, her skin flushed with passion.
"We should get going," she said, her voice soft and husky. "You need to get back to work."
I nodded, feeling a pang of reality. The moment was over, and we had to return to the real world.
"Yeah, you're right," I said, my voice still shaking with emotion. "Can you drop me off at the company?"
Sarah nodded, taking my hand in hers. Her touch was warm, comforting. "Of course, baby. I'll take you anywhere you need to go."
We walked back to her car, hand in hand, the silence between us comfortable and familiar. The tension had dissipated, replaced by a sense of calm and peace. As we drove, the cityscape passed by in a blur, a colorful backdrop to our love story.
"Thank you for being here for me," I said, turning to Sarah. My voice was filled with emotion, my heart overflowing with gratitude.
Sarah smiled, her eyes never leaving the road. "You'll never have to find out, baby. I'll always be here for you."
We pulled up to the company, and I leaned over to kiss her again. The kiss was soft, gentle, a promise of forever.
"I'll call you later," I said, my voice low and husky.
Sarah nodded, smiling. "I'll be waiting."
I got out of the car, watching as she drove away before turning to head into the building. I knew I still had a long day ahead of me, but with Sarah by my side, I felt like I could face anything.