Chapter 6
“No one’s born perfect. Some people grow up with more opportunities and a wider view of the world, but that doesn’t mean they get to look down on those who don’t.
“They’re not incapable–just a step behind.”
I stared at him, stunned.
It was the first time.
The first time anyone had ever told me that.
Maybe I wasn’t so unforgivable after all.
Maybe no one had ever taught me. That was all.
“They belittle your short–sightedness, but a little guidance would change that, wouldn’t it?”
The biggest irony in this world was people mocking those who’ve fallen into prostitution for not loving themselves, and those with. nowhere else to go for not being gracious.
Mike smiled and shrugged.
“See? Now that I’ve told you, putting up with Calvin like that wasn’t right. That was emotional manipulation. He never saw you as a real friend, let alone a girlfriend. Do you get it now? You’re done putting up with him, aren’t you?”
I opened my mouth.
“Damn… He was right,” I thought to myself.
I used to think Calvin’s possessiveness meant he cared–that it was his way of showing love.
But when someone finally told me the truth–that real love was about
respect and mutual understanding, not control–I started to question everything. I realized how wrong my idea of love had been.
Just like what Alice once told me, “He doesn’t respect you at all.”
So I started to change. I stood up to Calvin and demanded the respect I deserved.
“So it’s okay to make mistakes,” Mike said. “What matters is making it right.”
I blinked, my tears completely gone.
“Can you forgive me this time?”
Mike thought about it for a few seconds, then looked up and smiled.
“A friend who owns up to their mistakes and has the courage to apologize? Of course, I’ll forgive you.”
The truth was, everything had already started to change.
I was just slow to notice–slow to catch up.
For example, at the university, I made real friends. People started inviting me out.
Even at my part–time job, my coworkers were kind–they didn’t care that I wore old T–shirts.
In the club, everyone got along so naturally. I slowly stopped feeling so
insecure.
It wasn’t until I looked back that I finally realized maybe it was time to
move on.
I was not the one holding Calvin back.
It was that I had moved ahead, and I didn’t want to leave him behind.
With that thought, I finally found the courage to go back to the rental place and pack my things the next day.
But when I tried to open the door, it wouldn’t budge.
After taking a closer look, I realized that the lock had been changed.
I made the call.
“You changed the lock.”
“This is your punishment.”
Calvin wasn’t surprised by my call.
He was waiting for me to beg him, apologize, and rush back to him.
But all I said was, “What about my stuff?”
“They’re gone.”
I froze in place.
11.50 M
For four years, I knew Calvin didn’t have normal emotions, but I never imagined he could be so ruthless.
He acted like nothing had happened.
“The lease ended yesterday. You didn’t renew it, so the house is mine. It had every right to do that. And-”
He kept reminding me.
“Ashley, you owe me an apology.”
I felt a heavy pain in my chest.
I hung up.
Then, I blocked him.
