Chapter 4

That night, my phone on the nightstand lit up incessantly.

Even though I had deleted his contact, I recognized the number immediately. It was Carter.

I hung up over and over, but he kept redialing.

Annoyed out of my mind, I finally answered to see what kind of garbage he had to say.

Yet again, I underestimated just how shameless he could be.

I thought he was calling to apologize, but instead, he launched straight into an attack.

"Avery, what the hell was that today? Do you have any idea how much effort I put into convincing my parents? They finally stopped objecting and agreed to let us get married, and then you pull a childish stunt like that?"

My tone remained deadpan. "Carter, let me remind you: we broke up. In what capacity are you lecturing me right now?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, there was a clatter on the other end, as if something had dropped.

Then a soft female voice filtered through: "Carter, are you okay?"

I scoffed. "Carter, clean up your own mess first. Isn't having your sweet little neighbor girl by your side enough? Why are you still bothering me?"

Carter quickly lowered his voice in a flustered whisper:

"Avery, I swear I didn't know Chloe was going to show up today, and I had no idea my mom would say those ridiculous things."

"Look, Chloe and I grew up together, but she is strictly a sister to me. You can't just give me the death penalty over that! It's not fair."

"Yes, my mom crossed the line today, but she's still an elder! Even if you were unhappy, you shouldn't have embarrassed her like that. You just made her hate you more."

"Avery, just come back and apologize to my mom. She was so upset by what you did that she couldn't even eat dinner."

I let out a cold laugh at his absurd lecture. "Carter, did I not speak English earlier? We are done. Do you not understand the word 'breakup'? And you want me to apologize to your mom? Why doesn't she apologize for humiliating me?"

"I see things clearly now. The only reason your mom hates me is so she can clear a path for your precious Chloe. Isn't this great? I'm stepping aside to let you two be together. What more could you possibly want?"

My sharp words struck a nerve, and Carter snapped into defensive rage. His voice boomed through the receiver: "Avery, don't push your luck! Who do you think you are, throwing a tantrum and dumping me?"

"Let's see who else would ever marry a woman knocked up out of wedlock! I only swallowed my pride and smoothed things over for the sake of the baby, and you actually think you're hot shit!"

Even though my mind was completely made up, his vile words still pierced me with sharp pain and humiliation.

I felt a sickening wave of disappointment. How could I have wasted six years of my life on a man like this?

"You don't need to worry about my future," I said coldly. "Rest assured, even if I end up begging on the streets, I'll never beg at your doorstep."