D'S

ife is easy, predictable, laid out like a neat business plan waiting for me to sign at the bottom. But they don't see the pressure. They d

ever talks about. That's why I'm buried in schoolwork, extra lessons, endless meetings with tutors- because

ially

never listens, never respects anyone- not even her own parents. To my father, someone like her is the epi

immediately after gradu

fr

le

- commands weren

e, I was

I make choi

't I choos

l being treate

studied till m

sure was

to s

he stepped to

" I c

"Son, wha

rage v

uck in m

st s

o you need anyt

swallowing

elt smaller

her, he'd lose his mind. But what he

ith J

least,

places for that kind of love. Her parents treat her like she's invisible- unless they need something cleaned or someone to yell at. And my father? He doesn't ev

ing that's mine. Something untouched by my father's expectations or the image I have to uphold

, quiet corners, late-night chats when the house was asleep. And then suddenly, Elena had

was

it- there was something in her eyes, something sharp. And then, before I knew what was happening, she leaned in and kissed me. I pushed her away, to

using it

miling like the devil, "I'll send this picture to your father. Let's

y how to strike where it hurts. She doesn't care about me- she just wants co

, I'm

aw me the next day, all she could say was, "I trusted you, Erod." Then she walked aw

erspective, I kissed Elena and then ghosted her without a wo

the shame- he'll make my life unbearable. He might even pull me out of school. Judith's parents already treat her like s

maybe if I just take the hit, she'll be safe. But I didn't think about how much

don't know

If this is all my life is going to be- faking smiles, following orders, breaking hearts to keep secrets. I wo

ss J

I wasn't just Mr. Trenton's son, but so

use Elena wanted to play a game- and

e wors

isn't o