Too Late for Love

At eighteen, I was coaxed by Chuck into tasting intimacy for the first time. Blinded by what I thought was love, I even let him convince me to tattoo his name onto my shoulder blades. Then came the day I stood on the university auditorium stage at the Music Conservatory, holding my acceptance letter, delivering my freshman welcome speech. That was the moment Chuck chose to release a private video of us to the world. My parents disowned me. The university expelled me immediately. Every friend turned their back. Overnight, I went from being a rising star to a public target for men's advances. Later, I discovered the truth: Chuck's affection was merely revenge for his childhood sweetheart. His kindness was a weapon aimed at me. Six years later, our paths crossed again. The flutter in my chest for him was long dead. Yet there he was, kneeling in a crowded public space, his pleas echoing over and over. “Beth, please... forgive me?”