Regret

Smith's mind raced as he paced across the dimly lit room, the shadows cast by the flickering lamp dancing across his face. His heart thudded in his chest, fueled by a growing sense of unease. Matthew's unexpected reaction had thrown him off balance, and he knew they had to act swiftly.

With a deep breath, Smith reached for his phone, his fingers moving with urgency as he dialed Matthew's number. The silence that followed seemed interminable, punctuated only by the soft hum of the air conditioner.

Finally, Matthew's voice crackled through the line. "Smith, what's up?"

Smith's grip on the phone tightened. "Matthew, I need to talk to you." His voice was low, laced with a hint of apprehension.

The pause on the other end was palpable. "What's going on, Smith?" Matthew's tone was cautious.

Smith's eyes scanned the room, as if searching for hidden listeners. "Not over the phone. We need to meet. Now."

The urgency in Smith's voice was unmistakable. He could feel Tyler's presence lurking in th