"Y-You tricked me!?" Anthony stammered, disbelief choking his words. A wave of cold washed over him, quickly followed by a burning heat of frustration. *How could he do this?* Panic tightened his chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Into being your own little puppet!" His voice cracked, anger surging through him. "Your ex-girlfriend played me for a fool!? Where's the money? All my talents… turned into *yours*?" The metallic taste of fear lingered in his mouth.
"Oh, you looking for *this*?" Alexander taunted, holding up a thick stack of cash. The crisp bills caught the light, a dazzling mockery of everything Anthony had lost.
With a cruel snarl, Alexander flung wads of cash at Anthony's face. The bills fluttered around him like confetti, each one a sharp reminder of his shattered dreams. The scent of fresh ink filled the air, bitter against his despair. "Here's your cut! It's more than you deserve!" His voice boomed, each word a cruel blow.
Anthony stumbled back, blinking in disbelief as the money settled around him—a pathetic mockery of his hard work. The weight of betrayal pressed down on his chest, stealing his breath. *This can't be real.* Tears prickled behind his eyes, threatening to spill.
His tear-filled gaze searched for any hint of remorse on Alexander's face, but found only cold indifference. The reality of their broken bond hit him like a physical blow, sharp pain radiating through his chest.
"W-Why would you do this?" Anthony's voice quivered, a choked sob escaping. Confusion and hurt swirled within him, a suffocating mix of emotions. *How did it come to this?*
His heart pounded, a frantic rhythm of anger and sadness. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words, as he stood there, lost in the storm of his emotions, the world tilting precariously around him.