Alex stood under the streetlight, phone clenched in his hand.The light flickered once.Twice.
Like it was nervous too.
That message still burned on his screen.
Unknown Contact:Blood doesn't lie.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Alex turned.
Chris.
Hands in pockets. Calm face.Too calm.
"You shouldn't be out this late," Chris said."You always hated the cold."
Alex's breath caught.
"Stop," Alex snapped."Don't act like you know me."
Chris smiled faintly.Not mocking.Almost… sad.
Cars passed. Wind brushed Alex's jacket.His heart was loud. Way too loud.
"Say it," Alex said quietly."Say what you're hiding."
Chris didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled something from his wallet.
A photo.
Old. Faded.Two boys standing in front of a small house.
Alex recognized it instantly.
Because he was in it.
His fingers trembled as he grabbed the photo.
"Where did you get this?" he whispered.
Chris's voice dropped.
"…That house burned down."
Alex's vision blurred.
Burned down?
"We were supposed to leave together," Chris continued."But you don't remember that, do you?"
Alex staggered back.
"Shut up," he said."You're lying."
At that moment, a soft voice cut through the tension.
"Alex?"
Lina.
She stood a few steps away, holding her phone.Eyes wide. Confused. Hurt.
"Why are you with him?" she asked.
Alex turned to her.
His mouth opened—
But no words came out.
Chris took a step back.
"Looks like you've got company," he said."We'll talk soon."
"WAIT—" Alex shouted.
Chris was already walking away.
Lina grabbed Alex's sleeve.
"Who is he?" she demanded."Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Alex looked at her.
At the girl he cared about.
And realized something terrifying.
If he told her the truth now…
Nothing would stay the same.
His phone buzzed again.
Another message.
From Chris.
Ask your mother why she cried the night you were born.
Alex's blood ran cold.
Slowly, painfully—
he realized something.
This wasn't just a secret.
It was a lie that had lasted his whole life.