Chapter 17

Jackson's POV

She’s telling the truth, all right! But does she have to shout it for the whole damn world to hear? That was supposed to be between us.

"I'm sorry that I have caused you so much pain. Sometimes, I wish I had superpowers, you know? Like I could stop myself from... It hurts me too to watch you cry, and I can't even stop. I get it. I need to be caged because I am a wild animal," I blurted out.

I knew I was rambling, but I couldn’t help it. Everyone’s always right, and I’m always the one to blame. Her glare softened into something gentler—sadness. She walked toward me in small, graceful steps.

"Jackson, no… you are not. I'm sorry, it's just that—"

I flinched when she reached out to touch me. I pushed her hand away and turned my back. I thought I had felt pain before, but in that moment, it hit different. It was the kind that made you fear she might walk away, believing you didn’t want her anymore.

Even as I barked at the