TWISTED THREAD

Part 20: The Point of No Return

Pond didn't go home that night.

He drove around the city aimlessly, the streetlights blurring past as he tried to silence the storm in his head.

Phuwin's hesitation kept replaying in his mind.

Do you still love him?

I don't know.

That single moment—that pause—had shattered something inside him.

He should have expected it.

He should have seen it coming.

But it still hurt like hell.

At some point, his car ended up in front of a familiar bar. He wasn't even thinking anymore. He just walked in, straight to the counter, and ordered the strongest drink they had.

A familiar voice cut through his thoughts.

"Rough night?"

Pond froze.

And then, slowly, he turned.

Boom was sitting a few seats away, watching him with that same smug expression.

Pond exhaled sharply. "Not now, Boom."

Boom raised an eyebrow. "Ouch. I was just trying to be friendly."

Pond scoffed. "You don't do 'friendly.'"

Boom smirked. "You're right. I do... interesting. And you, Pond, are very interesting right now."

Pond clenched his jaw, turning back to his drink. "Leave me alone."

Boom chuckled. "Come on. I know exactly why you're here."

Pond didn't respond.

Boom leaned closer. "You finally realized, didn't you?"

Pond's grip on his glass tightened.

Boom's voice dropped to a whisper. "Phuwin's still in love with Santa."

Pond's entire body went still.

Boom grinned. "You knew it, but you didn't want to believe it. You thought if you loved him enough, he'd choose you. But guess what?"

Boom leaned in, his voice like poison.

"He never did."

The glass in Pond's hand cracked.

Boom sat back, satisfied. "Face it, Pond. You're fighting a battle you already lost."

Pond swallowed, trying to keep himself together. "Why are you telling me this?"

Boom tilted his head. "Because I think you deserve the truth."

Pond let out a hollow laugh. "The truth? You don't care about the truth. You just love watching people break."

Boom shrugged. "Maybe. But does it make me wrong?"

Pond didn't answer.

Because deep down?

He knew Boom was right.

⸻

Meanwhile.

Santa sat on his bed, staring at his phone.

That damn photo.

His stomach twisted just looking at it.

It was from so long ago. A moment that didn't even mean anything anymore.

But whoever sent it knew exactly what they were doing.

Santa exhaled sharply. His hands were shaking. He couldn't let Perth see him like this.