So, he knew some things were too important
to joke about.
Just not when it came to me.
“I don’t want to take it back. We are really
broken up now.”
I slammed the door shut, making my decision
clear.
It was over.
:.
Turns out, your heart can freeze over in a
split second.
The next day, I packed up all my stuff and
moved back home without looking back.
く
My parents were cooking when they saw me
hauling boxes.
Their first reaction was pure worry.
“Honey, did something happen? Tell us, we’ll
help you. You can get through anything.”
I was a kid again, in front of my parents.
The frustration from yesterday finally turned
into tears.
They held me.
After calming down, I told them everything
about my boyfriend.
My dad frowned. He’s old–school. Hearing
this crazy story for the first time, he was
shocked.
“So that guy was your boyfriend? And you
bought that condo?”
My mom seemed weirdly proud.
“I knew my daughter was amazing! So
amazing, people were jealous and tried to use
her.”
“And that guy, I knew he wasn’t good news. I
just didn’t want to say it. Your mom has a
great eye.
“Good riddance. Better days are ahead!”
“Listen to your mom, she’s never wrong.”
く
Listening to my parents joke, the last bit of
sadness melted away.
“Ah – my food!”
My mom yelled, rushing back to the kitchen.
My dad followed to help.
But I could still smell something burning.
My dad waved his hand.
“We’re celebrating our daughter coming
home. Dinner’s on us!”
My mom smiled, saying she was going to
change into something pretty.
My dad said. “You better not attract any old
geezers.”
I was always jealous of my parents‘
relationship. They were friends, family, and
lovers.
They argued, but they always made up.
And it wasn’t always my dad who apologized.
Whoever was wrong, said sorry.
They got through everything together.
That’s what I wanted with Chad.
But it was just a dream.
The old condo was far from my job and only
15 minutes from Chad’s. I was commuting
more than two hours every day.
L
If I got home late, Chad would complain that I
wasn’t cooking.
So, a one–sided compromise is never a
healthy relationship.
I was blinded by what I thought was love. I
couldn’t see the cracks.
But I couldn’t take it anymore.
People cared about me.
Then, I got a text:
“Rainey, you and Chad are in a difficult part
of the love game. To get items and win back
his heart, please pay $19,980.”
Chad, who?
<
Scam text.
I deleted it.
But the next day, another text came, for
$29,880.
This was a game Chad and I used to play.
If one of us was mad, and the other didn’t
know why, the angry one could use this game
to tell the other what to do.
But that was when we were in love.
And this amount wasn’t right.
My friend, who didn’t know we’d broken up,
sent me a screenshot of Chad’s social media,
tencing:
<
“Living the good life? Going on vacation.”
It was a price list for a tour package.
$19,980 was for a standard couple’s package.
$29,880 was for VIP.
Chad was trying to get me to apologize and
then use the money to take his ex on a trip.
No way.
I made a post.
“Single again! Freedom!”
The comments were all congratulating me.
Then, Chad called.
I frowned.
The phone kept ringing.
My mom glanced over.
“Why aren’t you answering that?”
“Work call. I’m off, I don’t want to.”
I went to the balcony.
Chad’s voice was annoyed.
“Why did it take you so long to answer? What
are you doing?”
“What do you want?”
Chad heard my cold voice and softened.
く
“Rainey, you! You didn’t pack my bags, you
were going to let me come back, right? I’m
coming over, open the door.”
He thought I was letting him take the high
road, willing to finally lower his head.
I said coldly, “I don’t live there. They probably
threw out your stuff. We broke up, so don’t
bother me again.”
I hung up and blocked his number, going back
to watch TV with my mom.
I didn’t need anyone bothering me.
Someone leaked my address.
く
A few days later, Chad showed up with bags.
I saw him in time and stopped him.
“What do you want?”
I frowned.
Chad smiled.
“I came to see your parents. You wanted me
to meet them, but I was busy.”
He held up the gift bags, his face eager.
