"Wow… it's… beautiful," he managed to say in a lie, his voice quieter than intended, tinged with something he didn't quite recognize.
"Really… really beautiful."
Carrie beamed at his words, completely unaware of the turmoil she had sparked.
"Thanks! I wanted it to be special, you know? A little reminder of him," she said, lightly tracing the letter with her fingertip.
Zack nodded, but his smile was tight, masking the storm inside.
He tried to shake off the sudden surge of jealousy and self-consciousness, telling himself it was irrational—she was happy, and that was what mattered.
But as Carrie continued to chat, laughing and moving with effortless confidence, he felt an invisible distance grow between them.
The little tattoo wasn't just ink on her skin—it was a symbol of a life he wasn't part of, a connection he couldn't claim.
