Desprezo -

As the sun set over the city, Elias sat on a park bench. A young couple sat right next to him, whispering secrets, their shoulders brushing his expensive wool coat. They didn't move away; they didn't even notice the space was occupied.

He realized then that hatred is a compliment; it means you still matter enough to be loathed. But —true desprezo —is the ultimate eviction. It is the removal of a person from the ledger of existence. Desprezo

Frustrated, Elias marched to his office. He passed his secretary, Sofia. Usually, she would scramble to gather his messages, her eyes darting with anxiety. Today, she was scrolling through her phone, laughing at a video. When Elias slammed his briefcase onto his desk, she didn't jump. She didn't even blink. She got up, walked to his desk to retrieve a stapler, and walked back out, humming. As the sun set over the city, Elias sat on a park bench

He wasn't invisible to the world—the world was simply finished with him. He realized then that hatred is a compliment;

He tried to provoke a reaction. He shouted in the town square. People walked around him like he was a lamp post. He tried to "ignore" them back, but you cannot ignore someone who has already deleted you from their reality.