Trish, I write to you with no expectation of forgiveness, nor any hope that these words will alter your opinion of me. I am aware that I have already lost that privilege. Yet I cannot remain silent. You accused me of arrogance—and you were not wrong. I have long mistaken restraint for dignity, and pride for strength. In doing so, I failed not only you, but myself. What I feel for you remains unchanged, though I now understand how poorly I expressed it. I spoke of love as though it were something to defend, rather than something to offer. I will not trouble you further after this. But I needed, at least once, to be known honestly— not as I appeared to you, but as I am when I no longer hide behind myself. Yours, though undeserving, K.