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

"Shit! Yeah, I know Ava’s body’s hot. What’s it like?"

"Yeah, she’s pretty good. If you wanna try, I’ll pass her on when I’m bored."

Jason’s friends burst into laughter. They were talking about me like I was some dirty joke.

I covered my mouth as tears ran down my face.

I never thought Jason—the guy I’d loved for four years—only saw me as a sex doll.

I cursed my stupidity. I should’ve known the moment he first ran off to see Maddie.

"What a jerk," I thought bitterly.

Unable to take more, I went home. Packed up my stuff to bring to Aunt Mae’s place, leaving behind all the cheap things Jason had bought me.

I gave a bitter smile. Those old gifts once made me happy. Now they just reminded me of Jason’s friends calling me a gold digger—for this junk.

"Gold digger, my ass! I never even asked for any of this."

I stomped on the old bag Jason gave me.

In two weeks, I’d leave and take all this pain with me.

Jason never really cared about me—if he did, maybe he would've noticed my stuff slowly disappearing from his place.

Until my flight to London, I kept myself busy working. I ignored Jason. He didn’t seem to care much anyway—probably too busy planning his wedding with Maddie.

One night, I came home to find Jason drunk, holding a half-empty bottle of liquor.

"Come here," he barked, patting his lap like I was a dog.

"I’m not your damn pet. I’m tired. Don’t bug me," I said, walking past him.

"Damn it! I said get over here, Ava!"

He shouted, throwing the bottle at me. It missed by inches.

"Are you crazy, Jason?!"

"You’re the one driving me crazy! I’ve been dealing with Maddie all day—the least you could do is take care of me!"

His disgusting words made my stomach churn. I turned to leave, but Jason grabbed me from behind.

"Ava, let’s hook up. Been a while, huh?"

"Let go! I’m not in the mood. Why don’t you ask Maddie?!"

"Again with that?!"

Jason looked furious, brushing back his sweaty hair. "Hey, Ava, don’t piss me off. Take off your clothes!"

He yanked my shirt, popping one of the buttons.

I screamed, shoving him back.

"Jason, stop! I said no!"

"Come on! We’ve done it before, what’s the big deal now?!"

"Jason, stop!!"

I slapped him hard, making him freeze. I sobbed, hugging my torn shirt.

"You bastard!"

Jason let out a long sigh. "This wouldn’t happen if you just obeyed."

"You sick freak! Go do that with your fiancée, Maddie!"

"Oh, I will! And you’ll regret it!"

"Go ahead, asshole! I don’t give a damn!"

I ran out in tears. My wrist ached from how hard he grabbed me. I caught my reflection in the elevator mirror—I looked a mess. A wreck.

"I swear I won’t stay in this toxic hell with you, Jason!"

I pulled myself together before heading to Aunt Mae’s house. She looked surprised I showed up so late.

"Ava, what happened?" she asked, worried.

"Nothing, Auntie. I just missed you. I’m leaving for London soon," I said, hugging her.

Thankfully, she didn’t press.

I stayed with her until it was almost time to leave. I spent the days reminiscing about my childhood. Aunt Mae told me stories about when my parents were still alive.

My dad was in real estate, and my mum was an interior designer. Maybe that’s why I love design now—she passed it down to me.

"Your mum used to get mad when you were naughty, Ava. But your dad always defended you, then got scolded by your mum," Auntie said with a laugh, sipping her tea.

I was too young then to remember any of it. Aunt Mae kept talking, making me smile, until she handed me a music box.

"Ava, this is the box your parents bought the day they had their accident."

My eyes welled up as I took it, hugging the little box. My parents died on the way home from buying me a birthday gift.

"Thanks for keeping this safe, Auntie," I said through tears.

"Don’t cry, sweetheart. Treasure this memory, okay?" She wiped my tears.

After saying my goodbyes, I went back to Jason’s house to get the rest of my stuff.

There, I found Jason cooking with Maddie, like some newlywed couple.

Jason wore just his pants. Maddie had on some skimpy lingerie. I could guess what they’d been doing.

"Oh, you’re back. Thought you weren’t coming home," Maddie sneered.

Jason turned and gave me a cold stare. "Where’ve you been? Come sit, let’s have lunch."

"I’m not hungry. I came to get my things. Like Maddie wanted, I’m leaving this place."

Jason looked shocked and chased after me.

"What do you mean, leave? Ava, stop messing around!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Ava, don’t be like this..." Jason grabbed my hand.

And once again, Maddie interrupted.

"Jason, your dad’s on the phone," she said, handing it to him.

Jason walked off to answer, not even glancing back at me. I didn’t care. I just wanted to leave.

"Good riddance if you’re really going, Ava," Maddie muttered.

I ignored her.

"Wow, Ava, you really love junk, huh?" Maddie said, picking up my music box.

"Give it back!" I snapped.

She ran away, laughing.

"It’s just old trash! Might as well break it!"

"Don’t, Maddie! Don’t you dare!"

Maddie smirked and smashed the music box before I could stop her.