Seventy-Six

Athena

I knew my actions had driven Cameron away, and maybe there was no fixing the mess I’d made. But what other choice did I have?

The sadness was a constant, sharp ache swirling inside me. Also, conflict raged in my mind. Had I made the right call?

Why the hell was I the only one carrying the weight of his safety?

Shouldn’t he give a damn too?

He was the one in danger if we stayed together, not me. Yet here I was, feeling like the entire burden was strapped to my back.

And for what? Because I loved him? Maybe that’s what love demanded—being selfless, sacrificing what I wanted for the sake of someone else. But damn it, how much sacrifice was enough?

Love wasn’t supposed to mean breaking yourself down, piece by piece, until there was nothing left. Yet, here I was, trying to convince myself that letting him go was the noble thing to do.

Was it really love, or just fear? I loved him too much to watch him die. Or maybe I was just too damn scared to face the possibility. That was the