One text and I was curious. One conversation and I was intrigued One revelation and I was Shattered. The mysterious stranger I was texting should never have been her—my best friend's little sister, and the one girl I couldn't have. Behind the screen, she was the one who kept my world from falling into darkness when everything seemed to be collapsing around me. My sunflower. But in the light of day, she was my ruin. I couldn’t be with her. In a moment of desperation, I irrevocably changed our lives. Years later, when I've buried the past and am focused on being the best single dad to my son, I find myself face-to-face with my past once again. Little by little, she starts lighting my world again, stirring up long since dormant desires. She says we’re not those same teenagers anymore. But she’s still my best friend’s little sister. She’s still my sunflower.

What would you do if you later found out that you sent an innocent person to prison? Retract your statement? Do whatever you can to make sure they're freed? I didn't. Instead, I live with the daily haunt of guilt. It crawls through my insides, eating away at my soul. I deserve whatever shit comes my way. In fact, I welcome it. I am lower than low. And I will only bring you down with me.