"I confessed to taking money from him," I said. "To escape.".
He was keeping tabs on all the stories, so I took $5,000. There was no indication of a bad feeling in my mind during that time. I used it to disappear.”.
There was an extended silence from Damian. "You did what you had to do.".
My eyes were filled with tears. "Don't you think I'm a bad person?".
He gave a slow, shaken head. "No," he replied. I think you're a survivor. I think you're brave.”.
He raised his hand towards my cheek and gently scraped a tear from my skin.
“I love you,” he said.
I froze.
“You… what?”.
“I love you, Aria.
That hasn't changed. Not after your past. Not after tonight.”.
Exactly as that, an internal object broke loose for me.
I embraced him, keeping my face in his neck. “I have affect
