Der var en spænding i luften, tung som røgen, der hang over pokerbordet.

There was a tension in the air, heavy like the smoke hanging over the poker table.

Lars sad ved bordet, hans øjne flakkede mellem de andre spillere og hans egne kort.

Lars sat at the table, his eyes darting between the other players and his own cards.

Hannas ansigt poppede konstant op i hans sind, og han mærkede sveden perle på hans pande.

Hanna's face constantly popped up in his mind, and he felt sweat bead on his forehead.

Det var sommer, men indendørs føltes det som en trykkoger.

It was summer, but indoors it felt like a pressure cooker.

Lars måtte vinde denne aften.

Lars had to win tonight.

Der var ingen andre muligheder for at betale gælden, han havde skjult fra Hanna.

There were no other options to pay off the debt he had hidden from Hanna.

Rummet var fyldt med lydløse tegn og nik.

The room was filled with silent signals and nods.

På den ene side sad en kraftig mand med et stort ar på kinden.

On one side sat a burly man with a large scar on his cheek.

Hans blik var hårdt og utålmodigt.

His gaze was hard and impatient.

På den anden side sad en kvinde med mørkt, skinnende hår.

On the other side sat a woman with dark, shiny hair.

Hun var rolig og ubarmhjertig.

She was calm and relentless.

Lars tog en dyb indånding.

Lars took a deep breath.

"Jeg må vinde," tænkte han.

"I must win," he thought.

Spillet begyndte, og Lars følte sig tvunget til at skjule sin angst bag et tappert smil.

The game began, and Lars felt compelled to hide his anxiety behind a brave smile.

Hver enkelt chip, han satte på bordet, føltes som endnu et skridt over kanten.

Every chip he placed on the table felt like another step over the edge.

Kortene blev delt ud, og Lars kiggede forskelligt på hver spiller.

The cards were dealt, and Lars glanced differently at each player.

De var lige så målrettede som han selv.

They were as determined as he was.

Lars så på sine kort – otte og konge, begge hjerter.

Lars looked at his cards – an eight and a king, both hearts.

Det var ikke en fantastisk hånd, men det var noget.

It wasn't a fantastic hand, but it was something.

Flere runder gik, og han fordoblede sin indsats.

Several rounds passed, and he doubled his bet.

På det tredje "flop" – de tre første fælleskort – blev han mødt af to tiere og en hjerter fem.

On the third "flop" – the first three community cards – he was met with two tens and a five of hearts.

Han havde en chance, en lille chance.

He had a chance, a small chance.

Han så de andre spillere en efter en checke eller hæve.

He watched as the other players either checked or raised.

Hans modstanderes ansigter var som masker, ubekymrede og urokkelige.

His opponents' faces were like masks, indifferent and steadfast.

Lars vidste, at øjeblikket var kommet.

Lars knew that the moment had come.

Det var en risiko, men det var alt eller intet.

It was a risk, but it was all or nothing.

"Jeg går all-in," sagde han med en stemme, der lød langt mere selvsikker, end han følte sig.

"I'm going all-in," he said with a voice that sounded far more confident than he felt.

Alle ved bordet stirrede.

Everyone at the table stared.

Hans hjerte hamrede som en tromme i hans bryst.

His heart pounded like a drum in his chest.

De andre spillere begyndte at tage deres beslutninger, men Lars kunne kun tænke på Hanna.

The other players began to make their decisions, but Lars could only think about Hanna.

Hvad ville hun sige, hvis hun kendte sandheden?

What would she say if she knew the truth?

Ville hun nogensinde kunne tilgive ham?

Would she ever be able to forgive him?

Det var tid til den endelige kortuddeling.

It was time for the final card reveal.

Dealeren vendte langsomt den sidste kort – en hjerte dronning.

The dealer slowly turned over the last card – a queen of hearts.

Lars mumlede en stille bøn.

Lars muttered a silent prayer.

Sejren var ikke garanteret, men chancen var der.

Victory wasn't guaranteed, but the chance was there.

"Vis jeres hænder," sagde dealeren.

"Show your hands," said the dealer.

Spilleren ved siden af ham havde to par.

The player next to him had two pairs.

Kvinden med det mørke hår viste en straight.

The woman with the dark hair revealed a straight.

Lars holdt vejret og vendte sine kort.

Lars held his breath and turned over his cards.

En flush!

A flush!

Lars kunne ikke tro det.

Lars couldn't believe it.

En bølge af lettelse skyllede gennem hans krop.

A wave of relief washed over his body.

Han havde vundet.

He had won.

Formuen lå foran ham på bordet, et bjerg af chips.

The fortune lay before him on the table, a mountain of chips.

Men noget ændrede sig inde i Lars.

But something changed inside Lars.

Han vidste, at han måtte være ærlig over for Hanna, uanset hvad.

He knew he had to be honest with Hanna, no matter what.

Han kunne ikke fortsætte med at lyve for hende.

He couldn't keep lying to her.

Han samlede sine gevinster op og vendte hjem.

He collected his winnings and headed home.

Da han kom ind ad døren, ventede Hanna på ham.

When he walked through the door, Hanna was waiting for him.

Han gik hen til hende, tog hendes hænder og sagde, "Hanna, jeg må fortælle dig noget vigtigt."

He went up to her, took her hands, and said, "Hanna, I have to tell you something important."

Relievet skyllede over ham, da hendes øjne mødtes med hans.

Relief flooded over him as her eyes met his.

Det var tid til at begynde på en frisk, ærlig måde.

It was time to start fresh, with honesty.

Og sådan, midt i en røget poker sal i sommervarmen, lærte Lars den ægte værdi af ærlighed og kærlighed.

And so, amidst the smoky poker room in the summer heat, Lars learned the true value of honesty and love.