Hazel's POV
Relief washed over me like a tidal wave as I drove away from Lucas's house, the rearview mirror filled with the image of his retreating figure on the porch. But despite the lightness in my chest, guilt gnawed at the edges of my conscience. My anger, the way I lashed out… it felt unjustified.
The truth was, Lucas hadn't cheated. We weren't in a relationship, not officially. My mixed signals, the way I kept him at arm's length while clinging to the ghost of a past love… it all led to this mess. He craved clarity, commitment, and I, well, I was a walking contradiction.
Part of me resented myself for being such a jerk. He genuinely cared, that much was evident. Yet, the thought of staying, of trying to rebuild trust… it felt like navigating a minefield. We were both tangled in a
