a P

ing end to the false reality it had once convey

r streets outside Juilliard. The academic world, once a sanct

y hand, my other hand instinctively going to my s

rocess. Every

y, her eyes shining with an almost conspirator

r lie, another betrayal hea

stark contrast to the burning in my chest.

er the cartel rescue, his voice rough with emot

riage, he' d said. A bond he app

just us, a sacred vow whispered under the moonlight. N

d been. How ut

flared again. It was a dull throb, a constant remi

out the image of him kissing Camil

rifices. My life for him

idden passion. He had encouraged it, but always in the s

oment of quiet triu

y, impulsive anger of my youth, but a dee

awn. I wasn'

me, before I was "tainted." The words

is life? By enduring

of it all wa

y. The family I' d lost, the family I' d been searching

ot plan. But now, it was my

idn't know about. My fingers trembled as I typed

Now. Have

almost immedia

n switched off the phone,

n about my search? Had he allowed it, kno

w. What mattered was

st from him, but from th

lingering ache in my side, th

a beautiful cage. Now

myself. My ide

cleansing. I walked away from the park, my step

broken promises, and the ghost

e would be