Chapter 39

• ARTEMY
• When Rebecca arrived with the first aid kit, I couldn't bear the thought of her seeing me in such a broken and painful state, so I chose to ignore her. The last thing I wanted was for her to witness my vulnerability.
• As waves of unfamiliar emotions coursed through me, I felt consumed by self-loathing. I had always believed that displaying feelings was a sign of weakness, and yet, in Rebecca's presence, my defenses crumbled effortlessly.