tely, everything she heard on the

explanation. She wanted him to say it wa

matter? I don't matter?" she yell

now Emily is back in my life, I can't keep sacrificing my happiness for theirs. I'm sure you understand, you only did

pilt those hurtful words. She felt as though she cou

me

any of us ever wants to end things I'll pay you off for the time you've stayed with

ed something, she tho

into such a bad situatio

their faces but rather she saw pity which made everything worse

stairs to get his things after which he returned with a check and dropp

re. She cleaned her eyes and decided he wasn't worth

all a d

as she mustered the courage to speak. She found him in the stud

he began, her voice wavering

expression guarded.

wkward lately. But I can't shake the feeling that maybe this whole thing was a mis

owed slightly. "Wh

te. "What we had before... it meant something, didn't it? I'm willing to fight

cted. "Blair, I don't kno

ance to sort this out. We owe it to ourselves." Aaron studi

air. We'll t

s he gestured to the cha

heart sank as she complied, h

n, pl

"Take the money I've given you and relocate to another cit

with tears. "But Aaron... what we had-it wasn't just a

e than a business arrangement. I'm married, and I have someone I truly love. This," he said, motion

. you don't care

care. But I have a life with my wife now. I can't have you disrupting that." Blair's shoulders s

hance to start over. Take it." She stood up slowly, fe

real here. But I guess I was wrong." Aaron

, the lump in her throat making it hard to breathe. Each step felt heavier than the last

, the sting of his words still fresh. She took a d

not to let Aaron see her weakness. As she walked to the front do

contract, that he had moved on and had someone else in his life. The

t thing she wanted was to give him the satisfaction

s a cold dismissal. Blair's heart ached, but she straightened h

she deserved better. She would rebuild her life, reclaim her st