Chapter 106
“Listen, I just came to talk,” he finally says. “If you don’t want to, I understand.”

I can’t look away from him; his presence is too overwhelming, too filled with a history I’ve been trying to

ignore. “You came to talk? Really? Because last time we talked, you made it abundantly clear how you

felt about my success.”

His eyes narrow, stung by my accusation. “I am happy for you, Abby. I wish you would believe that.”

“How can I believe it?” I retort, gripping the edge of the counter to keep my hands from shaking. “Your

entire demeanor changed. You said yourself that the competition would get in the way of the party.”

Karl looks down, exhaling slowly like he’s measuring each breath, weighing each word before it leaves

his mouth. “You’re right. I said some stuff last night that I shouldn’t have, because I was angry. But I am

happy for you, Abby. Way more than you realize. And I’m sorry.”

My eyes meet his, searching for any sign of insincerity. All I find is a quiet regret that somehow makes

me even angrier. “Sorry doesn’t just erase things, Karl. You being angry about my success tells me

don’t have room for that kind of negativity in my

his eyes intense and unwavering. “I want to be supportive, Abby. I

make it right.”

to support me?” I can’t keep the skepticism out of

to win me back? Because those are

and I involuntarily hold my breath. “I can’t

But above all, I care about you, Abby.

everything else did.”

something raw inside me, a nerve I thought I’d killed off long ago. I look into

believe him. “You caring about me and showing it

have a

says softly, “and I’m sorry for that. I never wanted to hurt

wanted to do.”

me, leaving me exposed. I’ve fortified myself with layers of

him, it all feels paper-thin. “Well, you have a

thing you ever wanted to do,” I say, my voice softer

holding it in for as long as I have. “Can we start over?

person who supports you, the way

hangs in the air, filled with a weighty mixture of hope and regret. I want

heal and become nothing more than

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