Chapter 22 Phoenix

• PHOENIX
• As I walked away, I couldn't shake off the bitterness that had been festering inside me. Rome's wealth was a constant reminder of the vast divide between us, and his attempts at kindness felt like empty gestures to mask the reality of our differences.
• But as I retreated to my room, I couldn't ignore the pang of guilt gnawing at me. Maybe I was being too harsh on Rome. After all, he didn't choose to be born into wealth any more than I chose to be born into poverty. Yet, the resentment lingered, fueled by years of feeling overlooked and inferior.