Awkward Interactions

My heart pounded, threatening to burst. Shame surged through me—hot, sudden, all-consuming. My cheeks burned, betraying the mix of humiliation and regret twisting inside me. I swallowed hard and dropped my gaze, unable to hold his.

Of course, he was here. She was his aunt, after all. How had it never crossed my mind that Atlas would show up? The moment I saw him, every memory I had fought to bury clawed its way back—the night everything changed.

Our eyes met, just for a second. And that was all it took. I felt exposed, stripped bare, as if every ounce of love I had given had been foolish. As if I had been ridiculous.

I clenched my jaw as the memories rushed in—every moment I spent with him, every time I let myself fall just a little further. And in the end, none of it had mattered to him. He had used me.

No one else in the room knew what had passed between us, but with him standing there, it felt like my shame was visible to everyone. Like I was wearing it for the world to see.

And wo