That she could never love me, and that what we had wasn't real.

[ What she leaves out is just the questions Ciara asked beforehand. Where would we go? What would we do? Why would I go with you? But even if the words hurt, Athessa has carried them with her long enough that they don't constrict her throat or prick at her eyes anymore.

It's just a dull ache below where her heart bleeds now for Derrica. ]

I still don't know whether she was just lying to make me leave, or if she really felt that way.