Jason stumbled back .
It was Chad .
He shouldnt have been there .
He was supposed to be out of town .
He stood in front of me , pointing at Jason .
I told you not to touch her ! Blood trickled from Jasons lip .
He glared at Chad ..
This is between us .
Stay out of it .
Chads face hardened .
He looked ready to hit Jason again , but I grabbed his arm .
Chad ! He stopped , turning to me , his gaze falling on my reddened wrist .
He gently took my hand , hist voice a mix of anger and concern .
Are you stupid ? You shouldve fought back ! My mind was racing .
I shook my head .
Its fine .
What are you doing back ? He let out a short , humorless laugh .
What do you think ? Coming back to stop him from harassing you .
Jasons eyes were fixed on Chads hand holding mine , his own fists clenching .
Dont act like youre some kind of hero , Chad .
We both know what you really want .
Chad smirked .
Oh really ? Enlighten me , Jason .
Tell me what my ulterior < motives are .
Jason was silent .
Chad chuckled .
Fine , Ill tell you .
I was just waiting for you two to divorce so I could finally make my move .
This is my chance , and Im not letting it go to waste .
The night air carried his words , each syllable a blow to my heart .
He continued , You , Jason , if you had any decency , you wouldnt have asked her those questions ! You really think someones just going to forgive you and give you another chance after all this ? Jasons face was ashen .
He swayed , looking like he might collapse .
I … I just wanted to know the truth … Chad grabbed him by the collar .
I told you , shes finally putting all this behind her , starting over .
Why do you have to drag it all up again ?! I stared at Chad .
His words … they didnt sound quite right .
Did he suspect something ? Chad shoved Jason away .
Get out ! Jason stumbled , his eyes vacant .
I didnt want to see any more .
You got your answers .
Now leave .
And dont come back .
I turned to go inside , but a thud stopped me .
Jason had fallen to his knees .
Ashley , he choked out , I 12:40 E32 know I messed up .
Its all my fault .
Please , give me another chance .
Lets start over .
18 .
Chads first reaction was to look at me .
His usual playful demeanor was gone , replaced by a tense stillness .
He clenched his fists , his eyes fixed on me .
He was nervous .
Jason was waiting for my answer , but so was Chad .
It turned to Jason .
When I said I pushed Melissa , why did you react that way ? He looked bewildered .
I smiled faintly .
After I lost the baby , you ignored me .
So I blamed Melissa .
I hated her .
I called her , lured her out , and pushed her down the stairs .
Isnt that … isnt that exactly what youd expect me to do ? He shook his head .
No … no … We were married for five years , I continued .
I was selfish and spoiled .
I wasnt like Melissa , sweet and understanding , your perfect soulmate .
I was nothing but trouble .
Clingy , demanding , childish .
Isnt that what you thought of me ? Jasons < face was whiter than the hospital sheets .
I added softly , You thought I forced you into this marriage .
That you only married me for your mother .
That youd never have gotten involved with me otherwise .
Isnt that how you saw our marriage , Jason ? Thats what you said to me , right before the accident .
His expression was a mixture of pain and regret .
I … I didnt mean it ! I was angry .
I … His words .
had made me realize how he truly saw me- a caricature of a person , a villain of his own making .
After the miscarriage , heartbroken and questioning everything , Id agreed to meet Melissa .
Id wanted to finally confront the woman whod been a constant shadow in my marriage.
But I hadnt gotten the chance to ask .
my questions .
Because Melissa had told me something that changed everything .
Ashley , you really thought a baby would make him love you ? I was there when you called .
I heard everything .
I even told him to go home to you .
But you know what he said ? He said you were being dramatic .
Youve liked Jason since 1 Dinan ka beland > freshman year , havent you ? Since he helped you when you had heatstroke at orientation ? You probably dont know this , but he was just passing by .
An RA asked him to help .
He even dropped the water hed bought for me .
But I didnt blame him .
Its good to be kind , right ? Ashley , just give up .
Youre only making him.
miserable .
I hadnt expected her to deliberately fall down the stairs .
I hadnt expected Jason to show up right at that moment .
Hed rushed to Melissas side , not even glancing at me .
She sobbed in his arms , her tears staining his shirt .
Hed comforted her , whispered reassurances , completely ignoring me .
When I finally got a chance to speak , hed cut me off .
Ashley , why do you have to cause so much drama ? Id wandered the streets for hours , his words echoing in my mind .
Was I selfish ? Crazy ? Hateful ? Then the car had hit me , and everything went black .
When I woke up , I was someone else the Ashley Jason had created in his mind .
Selfish , crazy , delusional .
And , most importantly , no longer in love with him .
I looked Jason in the eye .
But Jason , in this world … I dont love you anymore .

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My love had built a pedestal for him .
And he didnt deserve it .
19 .
I woke up to the smell of breakfast .
Chad was in the kitchen , cooking .
Whats the occasion , Mr.
Davis ? Whats got you slaving away in the kitchen ? He jerked his chin towards the front door .
The day the asshole got what he deserved .
Jason had knelt outside all night .
I hadnt gone back out .
Id dragged Chad who was still ready to fight inside , slammed the door , and gone to bed .
In separate rooms , of course .
I sat at the kitchen table and took a bite of his French toast .
And also the day Mr.
Davis burned breakfast .
Chad rushed over , trying to snatch the plate .
Its burnt ? Dont eat it ! Ill make you more ! I dodged him .
No , its fine .
Dont waste it .
He looked skeptical .
Really ? I held it out to him .
Try it .
He leaned in , and I quickly kissed him .
He froze , his ears turning 12:40 < red .
Ashley ! I patted his cheek .
Yes , I heard you .
No need to shout .
Louder than your confession last night .
Chad mumbled something , then pulled me close and kissed me .
I thought youd forgotten .
After the accident , you … you forgot so much .
I thought I was going to have to take care of you forever .
I poked hist chest .
Never .
I might have forgotten myself , but I didnt forget you .
In a time when I didnt even recognize myself , Id still trusted him .
completely .
He grinned , satisfied .
Finally getting smart .
He ruffled my hair .
Worth the wait .
Something twisted in my chest .
Chad , how could you be so blind ? Falling for someone .
like me ? He chuckled .
My visions perfect .
I knew you were worth waiting for .
I laughed .
Yeah , yeah , youre the best .
( Jasons POV ) I Lately , I kept seeing this girl everywhere .
In class , at the gym , even at my part time job .
It was supposed to be accidental , but she was < terrible at pretending .
It was annoying .
Other girls had liked me before , but none had been so blatant , so lacking in any feminine subtlety .
I figured shed get bored eventually .
I deliberately .
spent time with Melissa , hoping shed take the hint .
I saw the hurt in her eyes , and she disappeared for a while .
I was relieved , figuring she was just like that , giving up easily .
Shes a rich girl .
Never had to work for anything .
Not like us , Melissa had said .
Her words irritated me .
I made an excuse to avoid Melissas subtle hints about getting together .
I didnt have time .
for a relationship .
I had to take care of my family .
Thankfully , Melissa was understanding .
She never brought it up again , instead focusing on helping me .
Then , disaster struck .
My moms condition worsened , and we needed huge amount of money for her treatment .
Just when I thought all hope was lost , the girl reappeared .
What do you want ? Id asked .
Shed shook her head .
Id scoffed inwardly .
Was she playing coy ? Lets date , Id said .
I knew what she wanted , and I resented her for pretending < Otherwise .
But i nao no choice .
I needed the money .
She didnt get along with her family , so she was always clinging to me .
But I was busy .
I didnt have time to babysit her .
She started visiting less , and I thought shed finally matured .
Then I found out shed been harassing Melissa .
I confronted her several times , but she always .
denied it , leaving with tears in her eyes .
I was glad when she finally stopped , but then I saw her at the nursing home , talking to another guy .
Chad .
Her childhood friend .
They came from similar backgrounds .
If it hadnt been for me , they probably wouldve been together .
I was a guy ; I knew the look in his eyes when he looked at her .
She talked to him nonstop , rolled her eyes at him things she never did with me .
How could she ? Claiming to love me , while flirting with someone else ? She thought I was drunk that night , but I wasnt .
A possessive .
rage , one I hadnt realized I was capable of , consumed me .
When I found out she was pregnant , I felt a strange sense of relief .
Now we had to be together , didnt we ? Ashley , Id said my voice cold are you trying to get rid of < 12:41 said , my voice cold , are you trying to get rid of me ? Everything falling apart .
I didnt even was know what I was saying anymore .
I think I was losing my mind .
When she signed the divorce papers , it hit me I was losing my mind .
How could I let her go ? I couldnt .
But it was too late .
I fired Melissa , leaking information about her shady dealings and embezzlement .
She couldnt find another job and left town , disgraced .
I couldnt bring myself to change her contact name in my phone .
Then , one night , drunk , I called her , only to find the number disconnected .
Later , I heard shed married Chad .
A lavish wedding .
Thats when I finally understood : Id lost her .
The rain outside was relentless , mirroring the ache in my chest .
It was my fault .
All my fault .
Id pushed her away .
Im sorry .
Next time , please , dont let us meet again .
( The End )