If You Can't Love Me, Then Let Me Go

Jason stared at me, his face shocked. "Okay, sorry. Before you went home, some of my friends came here. The condom's one of theirs."

"Then you let a stranger into our room, Jason?" I asked, giving him a sarcastic smile at his lie.

"It’s not a stranger, it's a friends! This is my house, I can bring anyone I want!" he snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Fine, if that’s how it is, I’m outta here. I agreed to stay because you said you wouldn’t bring anyone else here!" I shouted, turning to leave.

"Ava!" Jason grabbed my arm, his face angry. "Do you think you can live without me, huh?!"

"Fine! I won’t bring anyone here again! Happy now?!"

I pulled my arm away, forcing a bitter smile, holding back tears.

"Do you think I can sleep in the bed you used for sex with Maddie?" I asked, my voice tight.

"I told you, that condom isn’t mine! Do you have proof it’s mine, huh?!"

"Let’s check the CCTV then. Everything’s recorded, right? Who went into our room when I wasn’t there?!" I challenged him.

His face went pale, panic taking over as he grabbed my hand. "Is this because you're jealous of Maddie? You're so cute, Ava," he said, trying to soften the moment.

"Stop changing the subject! If I say I’m jealous, would you cancel your engagement to Maddie? No, right?"

Tears started to fall down my cheek without me realizing it. "Enough, Jason. Let me go. Let’s break up."

I took a step back, walking away from him. I’d had enough of this toxic relationship after four years.

"Ava, calm down. Don’t do this. You know I love you," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I promise I’ll treat you better. Don’t go, okay? I can’t live without you."

He wiped away my tears, giving me a sweet smile. His eyes were full of guilt.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t there for your graduation. I’m sorry I brought someone else into our home. I’m sorry I disappointed you. I promise I’ll prioritize you from now on."

Jason hugged me, kissing my forehead with affection. But I knew it was all just to keep me from leaving. Maybe he didn’t want to lose his obedient girlfriend.

In the end, I pretended to forgive Jason. In three weeks, I’d leave him. I’d go to London earlier than planned.

"Don’t break your promise again, Jason. I really will leave if you do," I said, looking at him seriously.

He smiled and kissed my cheek. "Of course, babe. Now let’s sleep together."

"No, Jason. I’ll sleep in the other room," I refused.

"Ah, okay. Goodnight, love."

I went to the smaller room in the house. Since I found the condom in our room, I couldn’t bring myself to sleep there. I didn’t want to always picture what Jason and Maddie had done in that bed.

The next morning, Jason acted like the perfect boyfriend. He woke up early and made breakfast for me.

"Morning, babe. Here, this is for you," he smiled, handing me a plate of toast.

"Thanks, Jason," I smiled, pretending.

"I hope tomorrow it’s you making me breakfast," Jason smiled, kissing my hand.

"Alright, I’ll make it tomorrow."

A week passed, and I played the role of the perfect girlfriend Jason wanted—always doing what he asked. But quietly, I started packing my things bit by bit, getting ready to leave.

I was working on some projects, decorating for a baby’s birthday. And, of course, bad luck followed me. The baby’s parents were Maddie’s friends. She showed up alone, boasting about marrying Jason.

"Yeah, soon I’ll marry Jason, my first love," she said loudly, making sure I heard. "But sadly, he's been busy lately getting everything ready for our wedding."

“Wow, Maddie, you’re so lucky. But I heard Jason has a girlfriend—did they break up?” Maddie’s friend asked.

"You guys know Jason’s girlfriend? She’s just a gold digger, like a parasite stuck to Jason. I’m not worried about her. She’s nothing compared to me!" Maddie said, glancing at me with a sneer.

I didn’t care, finishing my work and leaving. But Maddie wasn’t letting me off that easily. She showed me a video of her having sex with Jason in our bed.

"Look at how Jason does it with me. He’s so good, right?"

"You know, Ava. We did it a few times," she said, trying to get under my skin.

And she succeeded. Watching Jason hugging and kissing another woman broke my heart.

But I didn’t want to show Maddie that I cared. I forced a cynical smile at her.

"I see you’re really proud of yourself, Maddie. But you don’t know, do you? What Jason did for me yesterday and the days before."

"What? He made breakfast and acted like he loved you? Ava, don’t be naive. You know that’s all fake," Maddie laughed, mocking me. "If you want to know the real reason Jason’s with you, come to this place, and you’ll find out."

She gave me the address to a nightclub and walked off with a smug look. I tried not to care, but I was too curious about what she said.

I decided to go to the club, and I regretted it. I overheard Jason and his friends talking about me.

"Hey, Jason! What’s the deal with you dating Ava when you’re gonna marry Maddie?"

Jason gave a thin smile, then replied, "Ava’s for my biological needs. She’s sexy and always gets me horny. She also does whatever I say. Yeah, it’s not bad having a sex doll around the house.”