OLIVIA
My heart was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as Ely continued to persistently help me close up my tattoo studio for the night. I couldn't deny the comfort of his presence, yet I also knew that I needed my personal space more than ever. While I had vowed to stand by Ely during difficult times, I couldn't let him confuse my heart and intentions again.
With a forced dismissive tone, I attempted to convey my need for space. "Ely, you can leave now. I'm perfectly capable of handling this on my own," I insisted, my voice laced with a mix of determination and weariness.
But Ely remained steadfast, ignoring my dismissive tone and offering his assistance anyway. "I understand that what I did was wrong, Olivia. I genuinely apologize, and I hope you're not holding any grudge against me,
