Chapter 156;

Gideon hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. His eyes darted between Samuel and Nick, sensing their worry. “It’s nothing serious,” he finally said, but his voice lacked conviction.

“Nothing serious?” Nick echoed, disbelief clear in his voice. “You nearly lost your life! You’re not the unstoppable force we used to know anymore, are you?”

Gideon felt a pang of frustration at Nick’s words, but he couldn’t entirely disagree. “That’s not it. I’m just…” he started to explain, his voice trailing off as he tried to articulate the inner turmoil he’d been dealing with. But before he could finish, Samuel cut him off.

“Just what?” Samuel pressed, not willing to let him off the hook so easily.

“Weak? Of course, Gideon… we all know how weak you are right now!” Samuel taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

The words were meant to provoke, and they hit their mark. Gideon’s fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white with the effort to contain his anger.

“Watch your words