The Shock and the Confession

The silence in the room was heavy.

Gale still had his hand on his cheek, skin reddened by Diana's slap. His head remained turned from the impact, but it wasn't the physical pain that shook him… it was her words.

— Don't you ever say that again! Diana shouted, rising abruptly.

Her eyes blazed with fury.

— Do you hear me? You're not Klaus. And you never will be!

Her words struck Gale like sharp blades.

He stood up slowly, fists clenched, his gaze dark.

But Diana wasn't finished. She stepped closer, voice trembling with emotion.

— You could never compare to Klaus… because you're a thousand times better than him.

Gale's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.

A warm, rare feeling swelled in his chest.

Diana looked him straight in the eyes.

— You're the kind of man every woman dreams of.

Kind. Respectful. Handsome. With a big heart. If I could… I would have wanted to love you a thousand times over.

Gale's heart tightened. He stepped closer, the words catching in his throat.

— Then why? Why him?

Diana looked away, ashamed, her throat tight.

— Because I don't know... I don't know why I fell in love with a monster. With a man who toys with me, manipulates me again and again...

— And yet, you still want him.

— I don't want to… I just can't let go…

Silence.

— So please, she whispered, don't envy him. Klaus doesn't even deserve your jealousy.

Gale remained silent, eyes locked on her.

Then, his deep voice broke the silence.

— You're right… Klaus doesn't deserve my envy. But…

He paused.

— There's one thing… just one… that I do envy him for. Actually, it's not a thing. It's a person.

Diana, curious:

— Who?

— You.

He met her eyes.

— I envy him for having you. For your love. I wish you had loved me instead.