4
This was the first time anyone had offered Julian pure kindness.
He was surprised and terrified. His father’s face resurfaced in his nightmares, night after night.
He’d wake up drenched in cold sweat, staying awake until dawn.
He thought, kindness that demanded no price was the most unreliable thing.
After all, who knew when that kindness would transform into sharp thorns, piercing the softest parts of his being?
Pity was fleeting; value was eternal.
Someday, Anya Sterling would surely grow tired of everything and push him into an even deeper hell.
So, preparing for that day in advance was not shameful.
