53 ◆ The Prodigal Son ◆

Valle Astra, Italy

◆ MILES ◆

She didn't block me. Yet. An hour and a half later and the sickening feeling in my gut still threatened my self-restraint.

My fist had been itching to hit something since she hung up on me. All my fault. Fuck. I didn't mean to hurt her. I'd prepared that stupid speech in my head last night. I'd chosen my words carefully. And I'd apologized over and over.

Still, it wasn't enough. It felt like someone stabbed me in the chest the second I heard her sniveling, just trying her best to restrain the tears while staying on the phone with me. But it's for her own good. I only did it for her. And her family. I had to push her away.

Or Kel would end up dangerously tangled into my family's mess. Again. It always made me feel like shit to think that meeting me only complicated her life.

But if we didn't put a stop to it now, I'd only keep hurting her, lying to her, cheating on her, disappointing her... And then I'd hate myself even more for pretending