Chapter 219

One evening, as he sat alone in a diner, a stranger approached him. The man had a calm, kind demeanor, and Anthony sensed a wisdom in his eyes.

"Mind if I join you?" the man asked, his voice gentle.

Anthony shrugged, too weary to refuse. "Sure."

The man sat down and introduced himself as Ethan. "You look like you've been through a lot," Ethan said, his tone compassionate.

Anthony nodded, feeling the weight of his burdens. "You could say that."

Ethan listened as Anthony recounted his story, his voice filled with regret and sorrow. When he finished, Ethan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"We all make mistakes," Ethan said softly. "What matters is what we do to make things right."

Anthony looked at him, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "But how? I've betrayed both sides. I have nowhere to go."

Ethan smiled gently. "There's always a way forward. Sometimes it just takes a little courage to find it."