Left Behind: Embracing a Better Future:
Chapter 5
“Leave,” I said coldly.
He didn’t leave, pressing his body against the doorframe. “If you don’t forgive me, I won’t go.”
Not wanting to wake my parents, I lowered my voice. “What do you want?”
“I want to treat you to a meal and apologize.”
“No need!”
Still, he refused to leave, shamelessly adding, “At least come and pick up your things. Your company files are still at my place.”
He reached for my hand, softening his tone. “Catherine, just one last time. After this, I won’t bother you again.”
I pulled my hand away but remembered that my company files were still locked in a cabinet at his house. I hadn’t retrieved them yet.
Thinking this would be finally go our separate ways, I reluctantly agreed.
the last time and that old
I arrived at the agreed–upon location on time.
But, as before, the private room wasn’t just him. Emily and her friends were there too.
One of the women raised her phone, aiming the camera at me. “Are we starting? Let me start. recording.”
Emily glanced at Austin.
He avoided my gaze but still walked over to me.
“Catherine, just do me a favor. All you need to say is that everything before was your doing and promise that you won’t bother me anymore. Emily just wants reassurance.”
“She’s different from you. She’s never been in a relationship before, so she’s a little possessive.”
“Catherine, we’ve always been such good friends. As long as Emily doesn’t find out, we can still stay
friends.”
A Love Left Behind Embracing a Better Future
5
An indescribable sense of disgust rose in my chest.
glared at him furiously. “Austin Colson, how much further are you going to humiliate me before you’re satisfied?”
That night–it had been him who made the first move.
I was his first, just as he had been mine.
I gave him my entire twenty–something years of life. I blossomed for him, endured pain and trembling for him, and overcame my fears about becoming a woman for him.
Over the year we lived together, he demanded endlessly. I thought that was what love was, so I
ways complied.
And now, he wanted me to say that I was the one at fault, that I had brought all this on myself.
I pressed my lips tightly together, tears of humiliation welling in my eyes. “It was you who…”
My voice cut off at his movement.
In his hand lay the necklace my grandmother had left me–the one I had given to him with my own
hands during our year of cohabitation.
My grandmother had once told me that if I met someone I truly liked, I should give him this necklace. She would protect him for me.
And now, he was using it to threaten me, forcing me to obey.
My tears spilled over uncontrollably, my voice trembling beyond recognition. “It was me who seduced him. Emily, he’s a good man. I won’t bother him again.”
Emily’s friend sneered. “I’ve recorded everything. If she dares act shamelessly again, I’ll post it
online!”
Austin glanced at me quickly, seemingly startled by my tears.
He scratched his neck, his voice hesitant. “It’s just for show, okay? We can still be friends. And if you ever feel lonely, I could still…”
Slap!
My hand struck his face hard, snapping his head to the side.
A Love Left Behind: Embracing a Better Future
1:
Through my tears, I stared directly at him. “You’re nothing but trash!
-grabbed my grandmother’s necklace from his hand and stormed out.
When I got home, my mom greeted me with a smile
“Catherine, your uncle just called. He’s inviting us to stay with him for a while. Your dad and I were thinking, since we’re getting older, maybe it’s time for a change of scenery. We heard the climate there is wonderful. What do you think?”
1 looked at her cautious expression.
They were thinking about me, trying to help me move on by changing environments.
I smiled and nodded. “Alright.”
Even if they hadn’t suggested it, I had already decided to find a new job and start fresh.
Once we made the decision, the process was surprisingly simple.
The old house, being in a school district, sold quickly.
I quickly completed the procedures for resigning as well.
The day before I left, I received a friend request.
A Love Left Behind Embracing
