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I called the landlord to cancel the rental.When she heard I wouldn’t pay more, she said she’d change the locks tomorrow.
After packing our things, we went to a local diner and ordered a huge amount of food.
I hadn’t eaten like this in ages.Liam always sneered at “low - class” spots, refusing to go no matter how much I begged.
His salary was a pittance—without my help,he’d be broke.
I’d been a fool,giving everything I had,only to be used.
I poured my anger into eating, almost finishing all the food on the table until Mom stopped me.
At the hotel,we talked late,me curled in her arms,drifting off.
I was grateful I’d cut my losses,reclaiming joy.
If Liam hadn’t shown up again,it’d have been perfect.
Three days later,a coworker said someone was downstairs for me.
I knew it was Liam, so I ignored it and worked late.
After midnight,I left with colleagues—and there he was.
He stood there, clutching wilted roses, hunched over and looking pitiful.
Seeing me,his ashen face cracked a smile.“Natalie,so late?I waited forever—my legs ache.”
His whiny tone,once my weakness,now repulsed me.
I walked past him,heading to my car.
He followed,acting like nothing happened,even reaching for the passenger door.
I locked it.
He tugged,annoyed.
Before,I’d have caved at his frown.
He tried again,then pounded the window.“Natalie,I came to you!What more do you want?”
“I gave you an out—take it,or it’s gone!”
I laughed,baffled by his ego.
Without a word,I floored it,leaving him choking on exhaust.
I thought he’d quit.
But for several days in a row, he camped outside my office, waiting for me.
I ignored him,stone-faced,as he trailed me,preaching his“love.”
It made me sick.
When I loved him,he trashed my heart.
Now,his fake devotion was worthless.
One day,I took his flowers,trampled them,and he snapped.
“Natalie,don’t act high and mighty!You kept the car to string me along,and now you play innocent?Disgusting!”
I stared,cold.“Your self-deception’s worse.”
“That car,three months old,nearly totaled by you—should I save it for Christmas?I’m not a landfill.”
“But don’t worry—my lawyer’s on it.You’ll get the bill soon.”
I walked away,ignoring his outburst of anger.
Next day,I applied for a transfer to a new branch near my condo—perfect for commuting.
The thought of facing Liam to reclaim the condo gave me a headache.
