Chapter Thirty Four: Self Actualisation [II]

**ANTONY SANTOS**~

Hours Earlier~

The moment she disappeared inside, her words echoed in my ears. The longer I conceal the truth from her, the higher I ruin the likelihoods of ever having anything with her. Granted she said it wouldn't make a difference. But what if it did? If I opened up about the truth, would there be redemption for me?

She illustrated that in such a situation, there was no possibility, it meant that if I wanted to keep her close I needed to keep lying, yet everything we laid eyes on one another, and we were bound to do so sooner or later, I only felt culpable. I couldn't agree on what to do. On one hand, I could maintain this life, hiding the truth and striving for the best. On the other, I could throw caution in the wind and tell her the plain truth, damning all outcomes?

The first idea had been working out so far, except my conscience pricked me now and then. I nearly blurted it out earlier today. I'd never seen her so sensitive and ordinary, Shawn hurt her up to