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I gripped my phone tighter, Sophie's words as she poured out all the pain I'd caused her over the years. Her voice cracked as she relived moments.
"You broke my arm, Aubrey. Do you even realize what you did to me? How you made me feel like I was nothing?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I glanced up at Onika, who had paused in the middle of picking up our clothes. She froze, her hands clutching one of my shirts as her eyes met mine.
The look on her face was unreadable—shock, sadness, and even disappointment.
"I'm sorry, Sophie," I finally said, my voice low. "I was wrong. I know I hurt you in ways I can't take back, but I'm trying to be better now. For Ava, for myself, and for the people in my life who believe in me."
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Sophie laughed bitterly. "You think saying sorry is enough? Do you even understand the damage you caused? Every time I look at Ava, I'm reminded of the man you are."
I looked down at my lap, unable to hold her gaze on the screen.
"I get it," I muttered. "You don't have to forgive me. But I need to take responsibility for what I did. I'm not that man anymore."
She shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "I hope for Ava's sake you mean that, Aubrey. Because I'll never forget what you did, and I'll never let you hurt her the way you hurt me."
The line went quiet as Sophie ended the call, leaving me sitting there in silence. I let out a shaky breath, rubbing my hands over my face.
"Did you... really break her arm?" Onika's voice broke the silence.
I looked at her, my heart sinking. "Yeah," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It was years ago."
Onika stared at me for a moment, then slowly stood up, crossing her arms. "You're trying to be better, right?"
"I am," I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "I know I can't change what I did, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it."
She nodded slowly, her expression softening just a little. "Good. Because if I ever see that side of you, Aubrey, I'm gone. No second chances."
