FORBIDDEN LOVE

Monday mornings are universally despised by many, marking the beginning of another long and tedious week filled with obligations, responsibilities, and the dreary routine of life that seemed to suck the joy out of existence. For Dom, Mondays are nothing short of dreadful, a rude awakening from the fleeting escape the weekend had granted him. The weekend had been his temporary sanctuary, a brief respite from the harsh realities of his life, allowing him to immerse himself in the presence of his friends, laugh without restraint and for a short while, push aside the weight of the burdens he carried. But as always, good things never lasted. The fleeting joy of those two days dissipated like smoke in the wind, leaving behind nothing but the cold, stark reality that was his life. The temporary happiness was just that—temporary. And now, as Monday loomed before him, he was once again forced to confront the very things he had tried so desperately to forget. The truth, no matter how much he tried to avoid it, was unrelenting. The weekend had given him an escape, but it hadn't changed the fact that his family situation remained the same. If anything, stepping back into the world of his everyday life only made him more acutely aware of the cracks that ran deep within his home. He had found solace in being away, in losing himself in the distractions that the outside world offered, in spending time with people who didn’t remind him of the gnawing emptiness that existed within the four walls of his house. But no amount of distractions could erase the reality that awaited him—especially when it came to his father. His father, whom he loved more than words could ever express, was also the source of his deepest pain. It was a paradox that he couldn’t escape. No matter how much he wanted to cherish the man, to admire him, to be proud of him, there was always something that tainted that love, something that left him feeling empty and discarded. It wasn’t the fights or the harsh words—no, those could be forgiven. It was the silence, the indifference, the way his father made him feel invisible even when he was standing right in front of him. There was no pain quite like being ignored by someone you love, no agony as sharp as yearning for attention that would never come. It was a wound that never quite healed, an ache that settled in his chest and refused to leave. It was the kind of pain that didn’t just hurt—it changed you, chipped away at your soul piece by piece, leaving behind only fragments of who you once were. Dom had long stopped trying to convince himself that it didn’t matter. It did. It always did. No matter how much he tried to suppress it, to convince himself that he could live without his father’s approval, the truth was that he still longed for it. He wished—desperately—that his father would one day look at him and see him for who he truly was, that he would acknowledge him, embrace him, love him in the way a father should love his son. But no matter how much Dom wished for it, his father remained oblivious, wrapped up in his own world, his own responsibilities, his own priorities that never seemed to include his family. Duty. That was all his father ever spoke of. The obligations that came with being a state governor, the sacrifices that had to be made, the people who depended on him. But what about the people at home? What about his own son who had spent years waiting for him to show up, to care, to just be there? It seemed that in the grand scheme of his father’s responsibilities, being a governor had taken precedence over being a father, over being a husband. And perhaps the cruelest part of it all was that Dom had no choice but to accept it. Because no matter how much it hurt, no matter how much he wished things were different, some things would never change. And that realization—that crushing, inescapable truth—was the reason why he hated Monday mornings the most. Dom thought about his life, those days when all his friends would wait eagerly for their fathers to come pick them up after school, the moments filled with laughter and excited chatter about what fun awaited them when they got home. But his father never came. Not once. He never stood at the school gates, never ruffled Dom’s hair affectionately, never wrapped an arm around his shoulder and asked how his day had been. When his friends talked about special weekends spent away with their families, road trips filled with music and bad singing, game nights where fathers and sons bonded over friendly competition, Dom could only listen in silence, feeling an aching void in his chest, wishing—just once—that his father might look at him and decide to take him somewhere, anywhere. Just the two of them. But that wish had long since withered, buried under years of disappointment. Sometimes, he wished he had siblings to share his loneliness with, someone who understood exactly how he felt, someone who could sit beside him in the silence and let him know he wasn’t completely alone. But he had no siblings. He had no one—except for his best friend, Chris, the one constant in his life apart from his mother, though his relationship with her was a complicated mess of love and resentment. Chris was his brother in everything but blood, the person who had always stood by him no matter what, the one who had seen him at his worst and never turned away. They lived vastly different lives, but Dom always knew that no matter the circumstances, he could count on Chris to have his back. And yet, despite all of that, he still found himself wanting more, wishing for something that seemed impossible. Chris’s twin sister, Stephanie, was everything Dom wanted in a woman. She was strong-willed, intelligent, beautiful, and kind in a way that made his heart ache. He had spent years hoping, waiting, thinking maybe—just maybe—one day, she would see him the way he saw her. He wished that Chris could have been more than his best friend, that maybe he could have been his brother-in-law, that his life could have had that small piece of happiness. But no matter how much he wished, it was never going to happen. That door had been shut long ago, and no amount of dreaming would change that. Lost in his thoughts, Dom was jolted back to reality by a sharp knock at the door. He barely had time to process it before Chris’s voice rang out from the other side. “Dom, open up, man. I know you’re in there.” Dom sighed, pushing his thoughts away as he moved to unlock the door. The moment it swung open, Chris pulled him into a firm hug, a gesture of familiarity and unspoken understanding. “Hey, man. How’re you doing?” Chris asked, his tone laced with concern. “I’m good, man. You know how it is.” Chris narrowed his eyes slightly. “Any problem?” “No, why?” “You seem a little bit tense. Something happened?” “Nothing happened, man. I’m just thinking.” “Ok then, if you say so.” He exhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck, his tone uncertain. "Listen, man, I have some news. I don’t even know how to feel about it." Dom raised an eyebrow, forcing a smirk. "Good news? I could use something positive today. Might actually help make this Monday less miserable." Chris hesitated, then blurted out, "Stephanie’s getting married." Dom’s stomach clenched. "What?" His voice was laced with disbelief, the words hitting him like a gut punch. "Yeah, man, I was shocked too. But it’s true." Chris watched him closely, gauging his reaction. He himself wasn’t sure how to feel. His sister was still so young, and even she knew that. "She’s only nineteen!" Dom’s voice rose slightly, emotion thick in his throat. "Exactly what I told her. But she’s so in love with this guy that I can’t talk her out of it. I’m her twin—I have to support her." Dom swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. "I don’t even know what to say, man." Chris sighed. "Yeah, I get it. It’s happening on the 25th of May." "That’s in two months. Isn’t that too soon?" Chris ran a hand over his face. "I don’t know, man. All I know is she’s getting married to Michael Thompson." Dom stiffened. "Mike? Of all the guys in the world, she chose that asshole? Seriously? Is it a lack of taste or what? There are plenty of men out there who’d treat her right, but not Mike. That guy is a no-go. He’s a douche. And honestly? I don’t think he’ll take care of her the way she deserves." Chris let out a slow breath, shifting uncomfortably where he stood, as though the weight of this conversation had finally settled on his shoulders. "And then, what’s up with you?" His voice was light, but Dom could tell it was an attempt to deflect, to ease some of the tension that had settled thick between them. Dom scoffed, shaking his head before running a hand through his short, dark hair. "Nothing. I’m just saying your sister deserves better than Mike. That guy—he’s something else, and not in a good way. I don’t even have the words to describe him properly. Stephanie, man, she’s got a horrible taste in men, and I don’t say that lightly. There are so many guys out there, men who would worship the ground she walks on, men who would treat her like the queen she is—like the princess she deserves to be. Someone who will respect her, cherish her, always put her first. And I just—" He exhaled sharply, his frustration bleeding into his words. "I don’t see Mike being that person. I just don’t. And honestly, it feels like everything is happening too soon. She’s nineteen, for God’s sake. What’s the rush?" Chris’s expression darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. "And what? You think you’re one of those guys? One of the men who could treat my sister like a queen?" His voice was quiet, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, a challenge woven beneath his words. Dom froze for a moment before shaking his head, scoffing. "It doesn’t matter if I am or if I’m not." Chris’s gaze sharpened. "Dom, that’s not an answer." Dom sighed, turning toward the kitchen. "I was about to make coffee. You want some?" Chris didn’t even blink. "That doesn’t answer my question, Dom. I don’t want your damn coffee. I want an answer." Dom gritted his teeth, knowing there was no escaping this. He could feel the walls closing in, the inevitable confrontation looming like an approaching storm. "I know whatever I feel for your sister will never be acceptable to you, so why should I even bother answering?" Chris stepped forward, his presence suddenly more imposing, his voice like steel. "Listen to me, and listen carefully. You’re my friend, but that doesn’t mean you’re good enough for my sister. I don’t want her tied to someone like you—a guy with one foot in trouble at all times, someone who has a history that he can’t seem to walk away from. I can’t let her get dragged into that life, Dom. Not her." Dom’s eyes flashed with something unreadable, a storm brewing behind them. "So, you’re telling me you’d rather your sister marry Michael Thompson? You seriously think he’s better than me?" Chris’s expression remained cold, unreadable. "Being my best friend doesn’t give you a free pass to have feelings for my sister, Dom. It doesn’t mean you get to insert yourself into her life and think it’s okay. You and I—we’re close, yeah. But you and her? That’s never going to happen. I need you to understand that." Dom inhaled sharply, nodding slowly, though his fists clenched at his sides. "Yeah, man. I hear you." His voice was flat, emotionless, but deep down, those words had cut him deeper than he cared to admit. He had known—always known—that his feelings for Stephanie would only bring trouble, but he had never imagined the knife would twist so soon, so ruthlessly. Chris exhaled, rubbing his temples as though this conversation had drained him. "I came here to share good news with my best friend, Dom. But now, I don’t even know if I should have come at all. I’ll visit you again when you’ve calmed down—when you’ve erased those stupid feelings from your head." And just like that, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving Dom standing alone in the suffocating silence of his room, the weight of everything pressing down on him like an unbearable force. "I don't even know what to do anymore," Dom muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he paced his bedroom, his thoughts an endless storm in his mind. "I never realized that falling in love could feel like walking through fire, like carrying a weight that only grows heavier with each passing day. I love you, Steph. I love you so much that it hurts, and I’d wait forever if I had to. But how do I wait when your brother, my best friend, is standing in my way? How do I convince myself that I still have a chance when Chris has made it painfully clear that he would rather see you with Mike than with me? The worst part isn’t even that I have to fight for you—it’s that I have to fight against someone I thought would always be on my side. Chris is supposed to have my back, but instead, he's making it impossible for me to be with you. And now, I have to accept the gut-wrenching truth that my best friend, the person who knows me better than anyone, doesn’t believe I’m good enough for his sister. I need to think of something, something that will make him realize this wedding is a mistake. I can’t just sit back and watch you slip away. I won’t. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I have to stop this wedding." As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, his mother walked into the room without warning, her sharp gaze immediately landing on him. She took one glance at the tension in his posture, the frustration carved into his expression, and smirked slightly, her tone light but probing as she spoke. "Well, well, well, it looks like my son has disappeared. This boy standing in front of me is clearly somewhere else entirely. Anything troubling you, Dominic?" Dom let out a small, humorless chuckle, shaking his head as he sighed. "Nothing, Mom. Just thinking about my life and how much of a mess it is right now." His mother raised an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned against the doorframe. "Your life, huh? And what exactly about your life has you so deep in thought that you didn’t even notice me coming in?" "A lot of things, Mom. Too many to count," he muttered, avoiding her piercing gaze, knowing full well that she could read him like an open book. She took a step closer, tilting her head slightly as she studied him, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Mhm. And who, exactly, is this girl that has managed to turn my son into such a lovesick mess?" Dom’s eyes widened, his jaw tightening slightly as he scoffed. "Mom! You were eavesdropping? Seriously? That’s bad manners, you know." His mother let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over her chest as if he had just accused her of the greatest crime imaginable. "Excuse me? My own son is trying to teach me about manners? Now I’ve truly seen it all! What is this world coming to?" "Mom, stop being overdramatic," Dom said, rolling his eyes, though a small smile played at his lips despite his frustration. "I’m just saying, listening in on people’s conversations isn’t exactly polite. But fine, I’ll answer your question. No one has stolen my heart." His mother scoffed, waving a dismissive hand at his weak attempt to dodge the truth. "Oh, please. Don’t even try to play smart with me, Dominic Burton. I wasn’t born yesterday. I can see it all over your face—those eyes, that expression. You might as well have the words ‘I’m in love’ stamped on your forehead. So, tell me the truth. You love her, don’t you?" Dom sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair before finally giving in. "Yes, Mom. I do. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything in my entire life." His mother’s eyes lit up with curiosity, and before he could prepare himself, she started firing questions at him faster than he could process. "Who is she? Do I know her? Where is she from? Is she pretty? Oh, who am I kidding—of course, she is. But tell me anyway!" Dom groaned, shaking his head as he lifted his hands in surrender. "Mom, slow down! One question at a time. We’re not in an interrogation room, you know." His mother simply arched an eyebrow, unfazed. "Just answer me. Is she in the same college as you?" Dom hesitated for a moment, then exhaled deeply. "No, she’s in a different college. But yes, you do know her. She’s from here, from this city. And yeah, she’s beautiful. No—scratch that—she’s the most breathtakingly gorgeous girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. She’s perfect, Mom. She’s everything. But none of it matters because I’ll never have her. It’s impossible. She’s the daughter of a powerful businessman, and to make things worse, she’s Chris’ twin sister. There’s no way it will ever work out, and I think it’s about time I accept that and move on." His mother scoffed at his words, her expression immediately turning fierce, her voice filled with conviction. "Nonsense! If you love her like you say you do, then you don’t just let her go. You fight for her, Dominic. Do you hear me? You don’t walk away, not when your heart is screaming at you to hold on. You’re a Burton, and Burton men don’t run from challenges. They don’t back down. They fight, and they win. And I refuse to believe that my son, the son I raised to be strong and determined, is suddenly willing to give up so easily. No, Dominic. That’s not who you are. You love this girl? Then fight for her. Make her see that she belongs with you, not him. You were never meant to be a coward, and I won’t let you start now." Dom swallowed hard, his mother’s words sinking deep into his soul, igniting a fire in his chest that he had been trying to suppress for far too long. Maybe she was right. Maybe he had been thinking about this all wrong. He had spent so much time convincing himself that he wasn’t good enough, that he didn’t have a chance, that he had failed before he even tried. But that wasn’t the man he wanted to be. If he truly loved Stephanie, if he truly believed that she was meant to be his, then he couldn’t just sit back and let her walk into a marriage that didn’t feel right. He had to do something. He had to fight, just like his mother said. He looked up at her, his expression more determined than before. "Thanks, Mom. I really needed to hear that." His mother smiled, her features softening as she reached out and gently pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Anytime, sweetheart. You know I’m always here when you need me."