Not Your Doormat Anymore

Even if Nora and I were more than just colleagues-which we weren't-what did that have to do with Casey?

Casey bit her lower lip and looked at me pitifully. "Didn't we get back together? You came looking for me the other day—"

"I never said we were getting back together," I cut her off.

Casey stared at me in disbelief as I said coldly, "You and I both know exactly why I went to see you that day."

"But I love you. I told you I love you. How can you just leave me and find someone else?" She lost control, tears streaming down her face as she cried out in despair.

If this had been the past, I probably would have already caved, apologized, and said it was my fault. But now, I just gave Andrew a cool glance. "Keep your woman in check."

I turned, ready to head inside with Nora, but Casey lunged forward and wrapped her arms tightly around me.

"There's nothing between me and him! We're the ones who are a couple. After all these years together, have you really forgotten everything? You used to love me so much. You'd prepare gifts and surprises for me on every occasion. We were so in love for so many years. Have you really forgotten all of it?"

She was crying so hard she could barely breathe, and her eyes were locked on mine.

I only let out a cold laugh. "Then tell me what did you ever give me in those years we were together? So, you remember how many gifts I'd buy for you every year. But what about you? Have you ever given me anything in return?"

All I ever got was her cold expression and constant sarcasm. Casey always acted like a queen with me.

Faced with my blunt accusations, she opened her mouth but said nothing.noveldrama

"I" In the end, she only lowered her head in shame.

All those years, I was the only one giving. She had never given me anything. "But I love you!"

After a long silence, Casey finally found a reason, and it was as if she were clutching at her last hope. She looked at me with desperate anticipation.

"You love me?" I gave a mocking laugh. "If your idea of love is wearing matching rings with someone else, taking wedding photos, and tattooing his name on your collarbone... Then what is he to you?" I asked, pointing at Andrew.

His expression had turned visibly sour. After all, who wouldn't be rattled, watching the woman he loved openly pursue another man right in front of him? Staying calm at that moment would be nearly impossible for anyone.

I had to admit, I admired Andrew for holding it in. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to.

"He's just a friend." Casey stubbornly stuck to her script.

"Oh, so that's how far you'd go for your friends? Then let's be friends too. Go get his name removed and tattoo mine instead. Will you do that?"

Casey pressed her lips together. "If that'll make you happy, then I-"

"Happy, my ass!" I couldn't hold back anymore. "You make me sick. Both of you- get lost! Don't show up in front of me again. If I see you, I'll curse you out every time!"

"Jace, I—" Casey tried to speak again, but I wasn't interested in hearing it.

"Leave."

She covered her face and ran off. Andrew gave me a deep look. "After all those years you two spent together, can you really let it go?"

"I was too busy cursing her just now and forgot about you. What's the matter? You itching to get a talking down too?

I didn't hold back as I continued, "You used to trip over yourself just to be her sidepiece. Now, she's out here crying about how much she loves me and you're still standing there, swallowing every word."

I looked him up and down, not bothering to mask my disgust. "Didn't think you had

it in you to be this much of a bootlicker. It has really opened my eyes."

I had been kept in the dark and lied to.

But Andrew? He knew everything from start to finish.

If anything, he was the crueler one between us-much crueler.