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"But what's there for you to clear?"

"I lied to you. And to everyone else. You don't annoy me or irritate me. And I certainly don't hate you. I might have, for a little while in the beginning. But that was a way to distract myself from what I really feel. I made you and everyone else believe that I despise you because it was a form of punishment for me. I wanted to punish myself for how I felt even after everything.

But it was so hard not being able to call you up when I wanted to complain or vent. Or when I couldn't sleep. Or when I had a really bad day and I just needed to talk to a friend who'd understand.

Seeing you make amends with Sophie made me wish that we did the same. It hurt-" she got clogged up with tears and her lips trembled. She looked down, placing a hand over her lips to stop herself from crying.

"It hurt to see her beside you because I wish it were me instead."

"What do you mean?" he asked, letting his arms fall to his side as he watched her carefully.