Jason stared at me, his face shocked. "Okay, sorry. Before you went home, some of my friends came here. The condom's one of theirs."

"Then you let a stranger into our room, Jason?" I asked, giving him a sarcastic smile at his lie.

"It’s not a stranger, it's a friends! This is my house, I can bring anyone I want!" he snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Fine, if that’s how it is, I’m outta here. I agreed to stay because you said you wouldn’t bring anyone else here!" I shouted, turning to leave.

"Ava!" Jason grabbed my arm, his face angry. "Do you think you can live without me, huh?!"

"Fine! I won’t bring anyone here again! Happy now?!"

I pulled my arm away, forcing a bitter smile, holding back tears.

"Do you think I can sleep in the bed you used for sex with Maddie?" I asked, my voice tight.

"I told you, that condom isn’t mine! Do you have proof it’s mine, huh?!"

"Let’s check the CCTV then. Everything’s recorded, right? Who went into our room when I wasn’t there?!" I challenged him.

His face went pale, panic taking over as he grabbed my hand. "Is this because you're jealous of Maddie? You're so cute, Ava," he said, trying to soften the moment.

"Stop changing the subject! If I say I’m jealous, would you cancel your engagement to Maddie? No, right?"

Tears started to fall down my cheek without me realizing it. "Enough, Jason. Let me go. Let’s break up."

I took a step back, walking away from him. I’d had enough of this toxic relationship after four years.

"Ava, calm down. Don’t do this. You know I love you," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I promise I’ll treat you better. Don’t go, okay? I can’t live without you."

He wiped away my tears, giving me a sweet smile. His eyes were full of guilt.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t there for your graduation. I’m sorry I brought someone else into our home. I’m sorry I disappointed you. I promise I’ll prioritize you from now on."

Jason hugged me, kissing my forehead with affection. But I knew it was all just to keep me from leaving. Maybe he didn’t want to lose his obedient girlfriend.

In the end, I pretended to forgive Jason. In three weeks, I’d leave him. I’d go to London earlier than planned.

"Don’t break your promise again, Jason. I really will leave if you do," I said, looking at him seriously.

He smiled and kissed my cheek. "Of course, babe. Now let’s sleep together."

"No, Jason. I’ll sleep in the other room," I refused.

"Ah, okay. Goodnight, love."

I went to the smaller room in the house. Since I found the condom in our room, I couldn’t bring myself to sleep there. I didn’t want to always picture what Jason and Maddie had done in that bed.

The next morning, Jason acted like the perfect boyfriend. He woke up early and made breakfast for me.

"Morning, babe. Here, this is for you," he smiled, handing me a plate of toast.

"Thanks, Jason," I smiled, pretending.

"I hope tomorrow it’s you making me breakfast," Jason smiled, kissing my hand.

"Alright, I’ll make it tomorrow."

A week passed, and I played the role of the perfect girlfriend Jason wanted—always doing what he asked. But quietly, I started packing my things bit by bit, getting ready to leave.

I was working on some projects, decorating for a baby’s birthday. And, of course, bad luck followed me. The baby’s parents were Maddie’s friends. She showed up alone, boasting about marrying Jason.

"Yeah, soon I’ll marry Jason, my first love," she said loudly, making sure I heard. "But sadly, he's been busy lately getting everything ready for our wedding."

“Wow, Maddie, you’re so lucky. But I heard Jason has a girlfriend—did they break up?” Maddie’s friend asked.

"You guys know Jason’s girlfriend? She’s just a gold digger, like a parasite stuck to Jason. I’m not worried about her. She’s nothing compared to me!" Maddie said, glancing at me with a sneer.

I didn’t care, finishing my work and leaving. But Maddie wasn’t letting me off that easily. She showed me a video of her having sex with Jason in our bed.

"Look at how Jason does it with me. He’s so good, right?"

"You know, Ava. We did it a few times," she said, trying to get under my skin.

And she succeeded. Watching Jason hugging and kissing another woman broke my heart.

But I didn’t want to show Maddie that I cared. I forced a cynical smile at her.

"I see you’re really proud of yourself, Maddie. But you don’t know, do you? What Jason did for me yesterday and the days before."

"What? He made breakfast and acted like he loved you? Ava, don’t be naive. You know that’s all fake," Maddie laughed, mocking me. "If you want to know the real reason Jason’s with you, come to this place, and you’ll find out."

She gave me the address to a nightclub and walked off with a smug look. I tried not to care, but I was too curious about what she said.

I decided to go to the club, and I regretted it. I overheard Jason and his friends talking about me.

"Hey, Jason! What’s the deal with you dating Ava when you’re gonna marry Maddie?"

Jason gave a thin smile, then replied, "Ava’s for my biological needs. She’s sexy and always gets me horny. She also does whatever I say. Yeah, it’s not bad having a sex doll around the house.”

"Shit! Yeah, I know Ava’s body’s hot. What’s it like?"

"Yeah, she’s pretty good. If you wanna try, I’ll pass her on when I’m bored."

Jason’s friends burst into laughter. They were talking about me like I was some dirty joke.

I covered my mouth as tears ran down my face.

I never thought Jason—the guy I’d loved for four years—only saw me as a sex doll.

I cursed my stupidity. I should’ve known the moment he first ran off to see Maddie.

"What a jerk," I thought bitterly.

Unable to take more, I went home. Packed up my stuff to bring to Aunt Mae’s place, leaving behind all the cheap things Jason had bought me.

I gave a bitter smile. Those old gifts once made me happy. Now they just reminded me of Jason’s friends calling me a gold digger—for this junk.

"Gold digger, my ass! I never even asked for any of this."

I stomped on the old bag Jason gave me.

In two weeks, I’d leave and take all this pain with me.

Jason never really cared about me—if he did, maybe he would've noticed my stuff slowly disappearing from his place.

Until my flight to London, I kept myself busy working. I ignored Jason. He didn’t seem to care much anyway—probably too busy planning his wedding with Maddie.

One night, I came home to find Jason drunk, holding a half-empty bottle of liquor.

"Come here," he barked, patting his lap like I was a dog.

"I’m not your damn pet. I’m tired. Don’t bug me," I said, walking past him.

"Damn it! I said get over here, Ava!"

He shouted, throwing the bottle at me. It missed by inches.

"Are you crazy, Jason?!"

"You’re the one driving me crazy! I’ve been dealing with Maddie all day—the least you could do is take care of me!"

His disgusting words made my stomach churn. I turned to leave, but Jason grabbed me from behind.

"Ava, let’s hook up. Been a while, huh?"

"Let go! I’m not in the mood. Why don’t you ask Maddie?!"

"Again with that?!"

Jason looked furious, brushing back his sweaty hair. "Hey, Ava, don’t piss me off. Take off your clothes!"

He yanked my shirt, popping one of the buttons.

I screamed, shoving him back.

"Jason, stop! I said no!"

"Come on! We’ve done it before, what’s the big deal now?!"

"Jason, stop!!"

I slapped him hard, making him freeze. I sobbed, hugging my torn shirt.

"You bastard!"

Jason let out a long sigh. "This wouldn’t happen if you just obeyed."

"You sick freak! Go do that with your fiancée, Maddie!"

"Oh, I will! And you’ll regret it!"

"Go ahead, asshole! I don’t give a damn!"

I ran out in tears. My wrist ached from how hard he grabbed me. I caught my reflection in the elevator mirror—I looked a mess. A wreck.

"I swear I won’t stay in this toxic hell with you, Jason!"

I pulled myself together before heading to Aunt Mae’s house. She looked surprised I showed up so late.

"Ava, what happened?" she asked, worried.

"Nothing, Auntie. I just missed you. I’m leaving for London soon," I said, hugging her.

Thankfully, she didn’t press.

I stayed with her until it was almost time to leave. I spent the days reminiscing about my childhood. Aunt Mae told me stories about when my parents were still alive.

My dad was in real estate, and my mum was an interior designer. Maybe that’s why I love design now—she passed it down to me.

"Your mum used to get mad when you were naughty, Ava. But your dad always defended you, then got scolded by your mum," Auntie said with a laugh, sipping her tea.

I was too young then to remember any of it. Aunt Mae kept talking, making me smile, until she handed me a music box.

"Ava, this is the box your parents bought the day they had their accident."

My eyes welled up as I took it, hugging the little box. My parents died on the way home from buying me a birthday gift.

"Thanks for keeping this safe, Auntie," I said through tears.

"Don’t cry, sweetheart. Treasure this memory, okay?" She wiped my tears.

After saying my goodbyes, I went back to Jason’s house to get the rest of my stuff.

There, I found Jason cooking with Maddie, like some newlywed couple.

Jason wore just his pants. Maddie had on some skimpy lingerie. I could guess what they’d been doing.

"Oh, you’re back. Thought you weren’t coming home," Maddie sneered.

Jason turned and gave me a cold stare. "Where’ve you been? Come sit, let’s have lunch."

"I’m not hungry. I came to get my things. Like Maddie wanted, I’m leaving this place."

Jason looked shocked and chased after me.

"What do you mean, leave? Ava, stop messing around!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Ava, don’t be like this..." Jason grabbed my hand.

And once again, Maddie interrupted.

"Jason, your dad’s on the phone," she said, handing it to him.

Jason walked off to answer, not even glancing back at me. I didn’t care. I just wanted to leave.

"Good riddance if you’re really going, Ava," Maddie muttered.

I ignored her.

"Wow, Ava, you really love junk, huh?" Maddie said, picking up my music box.

"Give it back!" I snapped.

She ran away, laughing.

"It’s just old trash! Might as well break it!"

"Don’t, Maddie! Don’t you dare!"

Maddie smirked and smashed the music box before I could stop her.

My blood boiled seeing the only memory I had of my parents shattered on the floor. As if that wasn’t enough, Maddie stomped on it.

“Don’t do that, Maddie! Stop!”

I rushed to stop her.

“Haha, why? This old junk deserved to be smashed. Just like you, Ava!” Maddie sneered, eyes wide and cruel. She shoved my shoulder and kept stomping the music box.

“I said stop!” I shoved her back, and she fell to the floor.

“Jason!” she screamed.

Jason burst into the room, panic flashing in his eyes when he saw blood dripping from Maddie’s hand—cut by the broken pieces of my music box.

He looked at me, frozen on the spot. “Why’d you hurt Maddie?! You know she’s a violinist! She can’t hurt her hands!” he shouted, veins bulging in his neck.

“B-but she broke my music box first, Jason.”

“Don’t make excuses!” He shoved me, and I fell hard.

“Ugh!”

The shards cut into my hands and legs. Jason didn’t care. He just kept yelling.

“You hurt someone over this damn thing?!”

He kicked the remains of the music box like it meant nothing.

“Jason, it hurts…” Maddie whimpered.

“Let’s go to the hospital.” Jason scooped her into his arms. “If anything happens to her hands and she can’t play anymore, you’ll pay for this, Ava.”

I was left alone, tears streaming down as I stared at the broken music box.

My heart ached so badly—Jason pushed me and left me hurt, yet he cared for another girl. He even kicked the only thing that mattered to me.

My hands trembled as I picked up the pieces.

“Dad… Mum… I’m sorry,” I whispered through sobs.

Nothing was left. Not my parents’ memory. Not my love for Jason.

I forced myself up even though my limbs were screaming. My wounds were worse than Maddie’s, but Jason didn’t even notice.

I went to the hospital on my own, then came back to Aunt Mae’s house. She was shocked and nearly cried when she saw my injuries.

“Oh dear, Ava, what happened to you?!”

She gently touched the bandage on my arm.

I gave a weak smile and shook my head. “It’s nothing. I just tripped,” I lied.

She kept pressing me, but finally dropped it when I insisted.

Inside, I cursed myself for lying again. I didn’t want her to know I got hurt because of the jerk I loved.

“I’m sorry, Auntie… I’ve been such a terrible liar,” I said to myself.

There were so many lies I told her. One of them was about where I lived.

I said I moved out of the campus dorm and was staying with a friend, so she wouldn’t come visit.

But the truth was, I’d been living with Jason.

I had just a few things left at Jason’s place, and I planned to leave them behind. But his message forced me to return.

“Ava, don’t tell me you really left. You’re at your aunt’s place, right? I’m coming to get you now. Please, come back, Ava.”

I replied to Jason’s message right away and left Aunt Mae’s house.

I didn’t want her to see him and make things even messier.

Tomorrow I was flying to London and leaving it all behind.

Jason was already waiting at home when I arrived. He smiled.

“Come here, Ava.”

Like I was some pet, he patted his thigh for me to sit. This time, I did.

“I’m so glad you came back. Are your wounds bad?” He hugged me, sounding cheerful.

“Not really,” I muttered.

“Ava, it broke my heart seeing you hurt.” He kissed my bandaged hand.

I forced a smile. He was the one who did this to me. Had he already forgotten?

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier. You know you’re the only one in my heart.”

Another lie.

“I care about Maddie 'cause of my family. My dad’s got business ties with hers, so I can’t just ignore her.”

I said nothing. Jason always flipped like this—from harsh to sweet in seconds.

“Tonight, I’ll stay with you, Ava. I’ll take care of your wounds too,” he said.

I smiled faintly and nodded. Jason brought me to the room, changed my bandages, stayed close.

I didn’t expect him to actually care for me. His arms felt warm, and his words were like a lullaby.

I thought, maybe… maybe he’s changed.

But when his phone rang, he pulled away immediately. I didn’t need to ask—I knew it was Maddie.

“Ava, I gotta go,” he said.

“Jason, you promised you’d stay tonight. Can’t you just… stay?” I held his hand.

“Sorry.”

One word. Then he was gone. I let out a bitter laugh.

“What the hell was I even hoping for?” I muttered.

I left the money Jason had given me and tossed the cheap ring beside it. It wasn’t even close to the diamond he got for Maddie.

The next day came, and by late afternoon, I was off. Aunt Mae hugged me tight, tears in her eyes.

“Sweetheart, call me when you land, alright?”

“Of course, Auntie…”

“I hope you find happiness in London. Don’t forget to reach out to Julian,” she said, stroking my cheek.

I nodded. But I probably wouldn’t. My professor had already arranged for me to meet someone else in London.

I sat in my seat on the plane. Right before switching off my phone, I saw Jason’s message. I read it—then blocked his number.

“Goodbye, Jason,” I whispered, staring out at the golden Sydney sky.

Jason was my first boyfriend, and being with him taught me never to make the same stupid mistake again.

In the end, I left to find my own happiness.