Page 74 of Second Sin

And the words land like a punch I’ve been bracing for.

Because I already did screw it up. Every line I crossed. Every choice I made thinking I could keep this clean.

And now I’m trying to rebuild something from the wreckage.

I meant every word I wrote on that note.

She makes me want to be better.

I will be.

As long as I can keep my shit together—keep the worst parts of me from getting in the way—I’ve still got a shot.

CHAPTER 29

OLIVIA

Maybe it’s cowardly to hand over a letter instead of saying the words out loud.

But I’ve always been better on paper. Cleaner. More in control. Less likely to break.

The envelope in my hand is smooth, heavy-stock paper. No name on the front. Just the weight of every boundary I shattered trying to convince myself I hadn’t.

I tell myself I’m doing the right thing.

That walking away before either of us gets hurt is the responsible choice.

That maybe, if I let go fast enough, it won’t feel like losing something I was never allowed to want.

I reach Coach’s office before I’m ready.

Knock twice.

“It’s open,” comes his voice, low and clipped.

I step inside, spine straight. Knuckles white around the letter.

He looks up from his desk, eyes narrowing on me with that same unflinching read-everything stare he gives during losses. The kind that doesn’t miss a damn thing.

“You here to quit?”

The words land like a slap.

“I—”

He nods at the envelope in my hand. “That your resignation?”

I hesitate. Then nod. “Yes.”

“It’s not happening.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not resigning,” he says, like it’s already done. “Wilde beat you to it.”

My stomach drops.

“What?”

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