Not Your Doormat Anymore

"Who gave you the right to hit Kourtney?" I shouted at Casey. Forcing down my fury, I grabbed Casey by the collar.

Shock and disbelief flashed through her eyes as she stared at me blankly. "I was just teaching her a lesson."

Before she could finish, I shoved her hard. Casey fell to the floor and looked up, dazed. "You're laying hands on me over a woman like that?"

"She's a hell of a lot better than you." I looked at her with disgust. "And who said you could come into my office without permission? Do you want me to call the police and have you arrested right now?"

"Go ahead! Call them! Have me arrested!" Casey screamed, her face soaked in tears. "Weren't you the one who used to spoil me the most? I only made a mistake every woman could make. Why are you treating me like this? Why is some random woman allowed to step all over me?

"You said I was the one you loved most, the one you wanted to spend your life with, the one you wanted to marry! Why? Why don't you love me anymore?"

She broke down in sobs, her tears falling to the floor.

Looking at Casey curled up and crying on the ground, I felt a wave of conflicting emotions. Before calling things off with her, I had never seen this side of her.

In the past, all my efforts and devotion were met with cold indifference. Now that I had finally let go, she came begging to be with me again.

I took a deep breath. "That still doesn't give you the right to hit her."

"She told me you didn't love me and said I should leave. Why shouldn't I hit her?" Casey suddenly yanked open her collar. The "AL" on her collarbone was gone. On the other side were the letters "JR".

"I've already removed the tattoo of his name and replaced it with yours. I even found the wedding ring. Look, it's right here. Can't we start over?"

She held out her hand, and the ruby ring sparkled beautifully under the light. I had to hand it to her. I had no idea where she had dug it out from.

Faced with her pleading gaze, I slowly stepped toward her.

Casey's heart leaped into her throat, and her voice softened. "I swear I won't get involved with any other man. I'll give you my full heart this time. We can―"

Her voice cut off.

Because instead of helping her up, I pulled the ring right off her ring finger.

"This ring was a custom order that I paid a fortune for. The engagement is already off. You should've returned it long ago."noveldrama

I shoved the ring into my pocket, feeling it press awkwardly against my side. Looking coldly at the woman on the ground, I showed no mercy. "I never asked you to tattoo my name. You chose to degrade yourself. Don't blame anyone else.

"Let's just say you came here today to return the ring. I won't press charges for the slap, but if you don't leave now, be prepared for the police to come."

Casey braced herself with both hands, letting out a quiet sob. "Why? I've done so much. Why can't you forgive me? I only made one mistake. Don't I even get a chance to atone for it?"

I paid no attention to her cries. I didn't flinch or speak. Inside, I felt nothing but coldness.

It wasn't just one mistake.

In my past life, I gave everything to her. And in return, I lost everything my home, my family, my future. Even if none of that had happened in this life, I still wouldn't forgive Casey.

Watching her walk away, defeated, I could barely remember what it was I ever loved about her in the first place. To me, all that was from a time long, long ago.