I lied about being fine. I shouldn’t have.

I told him I was fine. But I wasn’t. And I think he knew it the second I said it. Still, he gave me a chance to be honest. And I smiled it away, played it cool, thinking I could get by with a clever reply. That was my mistake. One of many.

He’s not someone you ghost without consequence. Not someone you lie to and expect silence in return. And yet, I did both. I disappeared, let the days stretch too far… then came back like nothing happened. Like my words didn’t matter. Like his time didn’t.

The truth is, I was overwhelmed. Work, my body, my moods—everything collided. But none of that gives me permission to be dishonest. Not with someone who’s earned more from me.

##So this is me saying I’m sorry. For going quiet. For pretending. For not trusting him with the truth the way I should’ve. I know better now.

There are expectations on me—not just his, but ones that run deeper. Ones I never say aloud, but still feel every time I remember what kind of girl I’m becoming under his guidance. Somewhere, I know there’s someone who’d be listening… who wouldn’t be surprised I ended up here. But I wonder what she’d think of how I’ve handled it lately.

Marcellus, I won’t forget this lesson. You saw through me, and you were right to. I won’t hide next time.