The raw wound from that prom night still ached, and he could feel the bitterness bubbling up inside him. He had the power and opportunity now to make her feel the way he had felt. But as he looked into her eyes, Lucas was surprised to see genuine remorse and vulnerability.
“Why should I believe you?” Lucas said, his voice edged with years of pent-up resentment. “You humiliated me in front of everyone, Ariel. Do you have any idea what that did to me?” Ariel’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded slowly.