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

me, and I don’t have room for

eyes intense and unwavering. “I want

make it right.”

to support me?” I can’t keep the skepticism out of my voice. “Or is

Because those are two very

gap between us, and I involuntarily hold

I care about

everything else did.”

I thought I’d killed off long ago. I look into

I let myself believe him. “You caring about

things. You have a funny way of

know,” he says softly, “and I’m sorry for that. I never wanted to hurt you. That’s the

wanted to do.”

exposed. I’ve fortified myself with

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

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

breath, like he’s been holding it in for as long as I have.

who supports you, the way

filled with a weighty mixture of hope and

that old wounds can heal and become nothing more than

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