Lots of people do this nowadays. It's evolved. Evolved, I repeated, tasting the word. She was twisting everything, our commitment, my loyalty, into some casual arrangement that benefited her. The hypocrisy hit hard.
I'd been her emotional safety net for years, and now she wanted to keep the benefits while chasing excitement? And if I say no? I asked, my tone steady. She shrugged, a bit dismissive now, like she'd expected pushback, but not outright refusal. Then I guess we're done.
But that'd be stupid. Why throw away what we have over something that might not even last. Think about it. You get to keep me around without the commitment stuff you're always pushing for anyway. I sat there for a long moment, the pasta going cold between us.
Her excuses piled up. It's not cheating if I'm honest about it, she added, as if that made it better. I'm giving you a choice here. Most girls would just ghost or lie. Twisted logic, all of it.
Framing her selfishness as generosity, my potential heartbreak as an opportunity. She leaned forward, trying to sound reasonable. Look, I still care about you. This could be fun, low-key. No jealousy, no fights, just benefits until I'm sure.
I met her gaze, feeling the weight of every sacrifice I'd made flash through my mind. But I didn't yell or beg. I just nodded once. That doesn't work for me, Katie. If you're not all in, neither am I.
We're done, completely. No friends, no benefits, nothing. Her eyes widened, like she hadn't seen that coming. Wait, seriously? You're just going to end it like that?
After everything? Yeah, I said simply, standing up. After everything. I cleared the plates without another word, the silence thick. She tried to argue more.
You're being dramatic. Let's talk this out. But I tuned it out, methodically packing an overnight bag. By the time I walked out the door, she was still sputtering justifications. Fine, go then.
You'll regret this when you're alone. The door clicked shut behind me, and that was it. No outburst, no confrontation, just detachment. That night, I crashed at a buddy's place, staring at the ceiling as the reality sank in. The confusion hit first.
How could someone I poured so much into think I'd accept being demoted to a side option? It felt outrageous, undeserved. I'd been loyal, committed, always putting us first. And for what? To be treated like a convenient fallback while she chased some exciting guy?
The unfairness gnawed at me. I replayed the conversation in my head, her smug tone echoing. It's win-win. Win for who? Her, obviously.