A slap, then another and another and—

"I hate you, Atlas," I confessed. "I hate that it hurts to hate you and I hate that you think I am dying to be in yours! You have hurt me so many times!"

Atlas' shoulders sagged for a moment but I continued.

"All of this..." I trailed off. "All of this madness because you think I killed your brother, right? That is the problem right?" I asked, gesturing at him. "Fine! I’ll prove my innocence, this once. I’ll prove I did not hurt Ryle. I ...