He Forgot My Birthday for Her Anniversary Again Chapter 10
Evan’s a good guy.
Back when I was struggling in school, he’d make study guides for me. Highlight the important parts. He helped me so much.
Now he needed help. Of course I’d help him.
“Deal! Anything you need, just ask.”
Turns out Evan came home for the same reason-to clear his head. Seven days, same as me.
When he found out we were flying back the same day, he said, “Don’t buy a ticket. I’ll drive. You can ride with me.’
I nodded and canceled my flight.
What I didn’t expect was Brady showing up the day before we left.
He was carrying a bunch of fancy gift boxes.
I opened the door and stared. “What are you doing here?”
“Work slowed down. I had some time off, so I thought I’d come see your parents…” He paused. “I did promise them a visit, remember?”
My parents wanted to see him back then to feel out whether he was serious about marriage.
But we’re broken up now. No need.
“Brady. We’re done.
This is a waste of time.”
I blocked the doorway. Didn’t let him in.
“Paige, I never agreed to break up. And I already apologized. Why are you
His eyes were clear, confused. No guilt. No regret.
still angry?”
I didn’t have the energy to rehash old wounds or explain pain he’d never understand.
“Brady, just because you say sorry doesn’t mean I owe you forgiveness.”
“Why? You never used to be like this-”
“Because I don’t love you anymore.” I looked straight at him. “Every time you picked Skyler,
over me, I fell a little more out of love with you.”
“Earlier this year, my mom asked if we had any plans to get married.”
happy. It just hurts.”
“I used to say yes. But now? The thought of marrying you doesn’t make me
Even being in the same room with him. I no longer felt joy. Only suffocation.
Brady stared, stunned. He opened his mouth. “Why?”
His voice cracked. Rough.
“I don’t want to be the person you’re always running away from when I actually need you.”
“I need someone who puts me first. No excuses. No conditions.”
“That’s not you. You checked out and leaned toward Skyler a long time ago. I’m not gonna spend my whole life fighting another woman for leftovers of your attention in a relationship that’s already falling apart.”
Brady’s fingers trembled. Like something was squeezing his heart.
“Paige, I don’t love Skyler. I help her because she’s a girl alone in a big city, and I feel bad for her-”
“And what about me?” I said quietly. “Brady, the city I work in-I have no family there. When you felt bad for her, did you ever feel bad for me?”
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Nothing came out.
Because he had no answer.
When he did all those things for Skyler, he never thought about me.
He always thought I could handle myself. That I was strong. Independent. Not like Skyler.
“I’m sorry.”
“Paige, I’ll cut her off. No more Skyler. Just us. We can start over. I-”
“Paige.”
Evan opened the door next to mine. He walked over slowly, like he didn’t even see Brady.
“Your mom said she packed us some homemade sausages. She asked me to grab them, but I don’t know where she put them. Can you help me find them?”
“Sure.”
I moved aside to let Evan through.
Brady’s eyes went wide. Panicked. He tried to step inside too.
I put my hand up. Blocked him.
“Brady. Last time I’m saying this. Let’s end this clean. Don’t make me regret ever being with you.”
“Paige-”
I didn’t let him finish. I closed the door. Shut him out.
Later, when my parents came home, Brady was long gone. But all his gift boxes were still piled by the door.
I didn’t take them. I called a courier and had them shipped to his office.
We’re done. No more loose ends.