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Chapter 12 

Chapter 12 

“But in the end, I realized I didn’t have a place in your heart. When I stopped caring about you, that fragile jar inside me finally shattered.” 

“So, Ethan,” I asked calmly, “are you trying to turn me into that jar again?” 

When we were together, I used to envy other couples–the way they could be carefree and 

affectionate with each other. 

With Ethan, I had to handle everything myself. 

Lven small things, like bandaging a cut, I had to do alone. 

After class, I’d see boyfriends waiting outside for their girlfriends, and I’d feel a pang of jealousy. 

But with Ethan? 

He wouldn’t even let me wait outside his classroom for him, let alone wait for me. 

On rainy days, other boyfriends brought umbrellas. 

But in 

my 

relationship, I was always the one bringing the umbrella to him. 

I don’t even know what I was thinking, loving him for so long. 

Maybe I was just a glutton for punishment. 

Or maybe it was because I’d never been loved. 

As the middle child in my family, I was the forgotten one. 

My older brother was the prized heir, and my younger sister was the charming one who always made our parents smile. 

Growing up, I was insecure and sensitive. 

So when Ethan smiled at me, I clung to it like a lifeline. 

But eventually, the hurt piled up, and I finally walked away. 

Time has a way of softening memories. 

09:06 

My Ex Won’t Stop Chasing Me! 

73.3% 

Change 

Now, Ethan is just a blurry figure in my mind–a “former boyfriend” and little else. 

That’s why I can talk to him so calmly about all this now. 

Ethan’s eyes filled with tears as he listened. 

“I know I messed up. I..” 

The doorbell rang, cutting him off. 

I opened the door to find Nathan standing there, holding a stack of books. 

He was a year ahead of me in school, and when I first arrived, he’d been a huge help in getting me 

settled. 

“Hey, Holly!” he said cheerfully, pushing past me into the apartment. 

“I found those design books you needed.” 

Nathan stopped short when he saw Ethan inside and gave me a questioning look. 

“He was just leaving,” I said. 

The hopeful glimmer in Ethan’s eyes dimmed instantly. 

I took Nathan into the study to discuss the competition, missing the sly smirk Nathan shot at Ethan as we walked away. 

When we came back out, Ethan was gone. 

Later, I got a message from Lila, asking to meet at a coffee shop. 

She didn’t waste time beating around the bush. 

“Stay away from Ethan.” 

She went on and on, like a broken record, repeating how Ethan didn’t like me before and never 

would. 

She kept talking about how much Ethan cared for her, like she was trying to convince both of 

09.06