Chapter 47: A Fractured Alliance

The tension in the room was palpable as Alex, Sarah, and I gathered around the table. The events of the past few days had taken their toll on our alliance, and cracks were beginning to form in the once-solid foundation. We were at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take next.

Sarah's eyes bore into mine, filled with a mix of anger and disappointment. "How could you keep this from us?" she demanded, her voice laced with accusation.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my actions weighing heavily on my conscience. "I didn't want to burden you with the truth," I replied, my voice tinged with regret. "I thought I could handle it on my own."

Alex remained silent, his gaze fixed on the table. His usual calm and composed demeanor had been replaced by a sense of unease and uncertainty. It was clear that the revelation had shaken him to his core.

"What do we do now?" Sarah asked, her voice softer, filled with a touch of vulnerability. "We can't go on like this, pretending everything is fi