AKIRA’S POVThe warmth of his hand against mine felt like a paradox—comforting yet painful, real yet fake. It was a fire I wanted to hold onto, even though I knew it would eventually burn me. Under the table, our fingers were locked together, and no matter how much my mind screamed that this was all just an act, my heart refused to listen. It stubbornly clung to every touch, every glance, every soft word, treating them as if they were treasures meant only for me.Dinner finally ended, and the atmosphere was light, filled with the happy chatter of my grandparents. They were so pleased, so convinced that their granddaughter had found a good man who loved and cherished her. Seeing them smile made my chest tighten. I felt guilty. We were feeding them lies, wrapping them up in pretty packages and calling them the truth.“Come, let’s move to the living room,” Grandpa said, standing up and patting Sedrick’s shoulder. “We haven’t finished our story yet.”“Of course, Grandpa,” Sedrick replied
Last Updated : 2026-04-15 Read more