CHAPTER 38AureliaHe takes a breath, looks out at the pond for a moment like he's gathering courage, then turns back to me."I haven't been completely honest with you."Oh god. Here it comes. The part where he tells me this was all a mistake. That I read too much into his kindness. That I'm just a project to him, nothing more."A while ago," he continues, "I told you that you reminded me of someone I used to know. Someone I couldn't help. That was true, but it wasn't the whole truth."I want to say something but I promised to listen, so I dig my nails into my palms and wait."The person you reminded me of was me." His grey eyes are intense, vulnerable. "Three years ago, I was exactly where you are now. Broken. Hiding. Convinced I didn't deserve to take up space in the world."I hadn't expected that."I had everything, on paper. Money, family, opportunity. But I was drowning under expectations I couldn't meet. My family wanted me to be someone I wasn't. Strong. Cold. Unfeeling. And ev
Last Updated : 2025-12-10 Read more