A stalemate
Willem’s eyes dropped toward the ground. “But there’s one problem,” he admitted. “Loneliness. The silence stretches endlessly, swallowing me whole. Some days, it feels unbearable.” His hands shook slightly, revealing the toll isolation had taken. “That’s why I watched you today—why I revealed myself, even though I knew it was dangerous. My curiosity drowned out my caution.” His voice faltered. Kevin could feel the desperation hiding behind Willem’s weary defenses.
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