TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A SENSITIVE TOPIC ON CHILD ABUSE. IF THIS IS TRIGGERING IN ANY WAY, PLEASE DON’T READ.
~Aspen’s pov~
My thoughts were still wrapped around what Malek had said to me. It did come as a shock to me that I didn’t attach myself to his sentence about Rylan not truly loving me. I know from Malek’s point of view, that’s how it must seem. That’s how much I trust this man. When I was younger, I learned really fast that no one would want me. Ever. Even as a friend. I spent years blaming myself for things that I didn’t do. So when I found myself in situations where I needed help, there was no one I could talk to.
No one cared about me. Even the random strangers in the town jumped on the hate train towards me. The word love was never directed at me.
Actually,
