Chapter 35. Trust a Man

CHARLOTTE

It’s been a long, silent drive. I lay curled into myself in the backseat, my knees pulled up against my chest. My whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

Can’t tell if I am cold from the night air or from the anxiety and stress.

Even as I tried not to think about it, Leo’s words still echoed in my mind, relentless, like a broken record I couldn’t shut off.

“I admire you. You’re beautiful and stronger than you realize.”

Oh please…

A fresh wave of tears spilled over.

“But trust me—we’re not so different. I’m scared of trusting people too.”

Not so different?

Coming from someone who is obviously very attractive and has been loved by people around him all his life.

Was that supposed to make me feel better? To make me believe him?

“For the first time, I wanted to be around someone. I never knew what loneliness was until you left yesterday. I never worried about being alone—it was normal for me. But you… you ruined