Interlude

"Skye, please," I could hear the intense pleading in his voice, but I didn't know how to look at him after finding out everything that happened. "Listen to me first, baby."

"What is there to explain, hmm?" Each word I uttered tasted as bitter as bitter gourd. "Why, if I hadn't found out now, were you planning to tell me, or were you planning to keep it hidden until the grave, huh?" He didn't respond, so I released a mixture of sobs and laughter. "See?"

I could clearly see the confusion in his eyes, but I chose to feign ignorance. I didn't care about how he felt right now; my own pain was doubled.

"Skye, please. My situation right now is very difficult. All I’m asking you is to give me a chance to explain my side. Please give me a few days. I have too much on my plate right now."

I shook my head as tears continued to stream down my face. "No, I don’t need to hear any of your lies."

"Is it that hard to make it easier for me, Skye? I always listen to you, but why, when it's you, is it so easy for you to let me go like this?"

It felt like a slap to my senses to hear that. "Are you blaming me? Sorry, again? Easy? And, come on, Jaxon. Admit it or not, this setup is exhausting. I tried to understand everything. You showing up late on our dates, almost not coming, not to mention those times you stood me up because you forgot you said yes to me, while I waited for you. I’d be lucky if you arrived five hours after our meeting time, and I'd still be grateful that you came. It's not just that. You weren't there when I needed you the most, when I struggled with my depression, when I flunked my major subject and had to take a remedial exam. You weren't there, Jaxon. I carried it all alone as if you didn't exist. I tried to reach out, to communicate my feelings to fix us, but you were too busy with things you wouldn't tell me. So I was left alone like I was nothing."

I could see a mix of emotions in his eyes—emotions I couldn't fathom, emotions I saw for the very first time after we started a relationship.

"So, I’m sorry Jaxon, if it's just this simple, I want to let go. But please remember, I tried so hard, I tried my best, I tried until I couldn't anymore. I’m sorry that I need to let you go because this time, I'm choosing myself. And you know what became my last straw? I discovered that the man I loved the most is actually one of the reasons for the death of my dear friend. I never, ever expected this from you. I will take this to my grave. I trusted you so much. I hate you—no, I loathe you! You stole the only friend I had!"

As I started to open the door, my heart swelled and broke into pieces. "Baby, please. Don’t give up on me. I love you."

"I can’t feel it, Jax. I'm too drained to deal with this shit, so I'm sorry." I fully opened the door and stepped outside the room. "And I hope not to see you again."