[A.N:
Hello everyone. A quick note before you read this chapter. I know many of you dislike Zoey, but remember that Atticus isn't you. He genuinely cares about her, and she's one of his 'loved ones'. With that in mind, I believe his reaction here is justified. Happy reading.]
"…."
Atticus fell silent. After a long breath, he finally spoke.
"New dangerous enemies are showing up, and they threaten to destroy everything. I need to get stronger. To do that, I need to focus completely on—"
"No."
Zoey lifted her bloodshot eyes toward him.
"Don't do that. Don't lie. You owe me, at least you owe me the truth. Tell me the truth."
Atticus stared into her eyes, one filled with pain that he'd caused. His hands slowly curled into fists.
"I kissed another girl."
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating Zoey's horrified face.
"You… kissed another girl?"
"…I'm sorry."
