*Odette*
I want to remain standing, tall, erect, confident. I want to brazen this out, but I can't. Not with him, not with the sympathy and understanding in his dark eyes. Not with the certainty there. He knows me too well. When my guard was down, I let him in. When I had no memories with which to shore up walls.
I find myself sinking to the sofa, my legs too weak to support me. I should have never come down here, should have never agreed to meet with him. I should have known he'd poke and prod until he got to the tarnished truth. Until he'd uncovered my deepest shame and mortification.
What Lupo had done to me paled in comparison.
But his actions hurt my heart much worse because I had fallen for him. Had known his love. It was an experience I'd never thought to have, knowing myself to
