"No matter what you tell me, I'll listen until the end. I won't judge you, and I won't walk away before hearing your side of the story. You have my word."
Charles swallowed hard. Mark's promise gave him enough courage to speak finally.
"There's something I've never told you," he whispered.
He tried to meet Mark's eyes, but the overwhelming shame was too much. His gaze dropped to the space between them, his fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of Mark's shirt.
"Before I met you… Do you remember what I told you about my past? About the abusive, toxic relationship I was in? I told you he cheated on me. That he broke me down until I felt like I was nothing."
Charles finally looked up at Mark. "Do you remember?"
Mark gave a single nod. "Yes. I remember."
Charles lowered his gaze for a moment before quietly saying, "That ex… it was Owen."
Mark kept his composure, his face calm as he processed the information. He just gave another small nod. "Okay. It's okay. Go on."
