SECOND SIN
He kept his eyes on the ground, refusing to look up, refusing to give Noah the reaction he wanted.
But Noah crouched down too, close—too close. He snatched one of Nathan's exercise books and flipped through it carelessly, pages fluttering. "Still copying notes like a good little charity case?" He tossed the book back at Nathan's chest, hard enough to sting. "Pathetic."
Nathan's fingers tightened around the edges of the book. His throat felt tight, anger and shame twisting together until he could barely breathe. He wanted to shout, to push back, but the words wouldn't come. They never did.