All Chapters of I'm Done Squeezing Into Their Love Lane: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My phone buzzed again.George sent me another message. "Ms. Mabrey, one of the other residents would like to meet tomorrow around noon to sign the paperwork. Would that work for you?""Yes," I replied. "Keira, let me know next time you're coming home late," Genevieve said, still smiling at me. "I'll save some food for you."I looked at her. "You won't need to anymore."Her smile froze as I pushed my bowl aside. "I'm full.""What's your problem now?" Logan's voice hardened. I didn't explain. In the past, I used to worry that he'd misunderstand me if I didn't clarify. Eventually, I realized he understood perfectly well. He simply didn't think it mattered.As I closed my bedroom door, I heard Genevieve asking Logan in a soft voice, "Did I upset her again?""Don't worry about her," he murmured, trying to reassure her. "She's just been under a lot of pressure lately."I stood with my back against the door for a long time. The living room was warmly lit, and their laughter ec

At 3:00 pm that day, I arrived at Crestmont with the project materials.I'd barely finished checking in at the front desk when I heard laughter drifting over from the break room. I looked up and saw Logan and Genevieve walking out side by side, each holding a cup of coffee.Someone nearby teased, "Mr. Poole, buying Ms. Sachs coffee again?""He insisted." Genevieve laughed. "What was I supposed to do?"Logan didn't deny it. But the moment he looked up and saw me, the smile on his face froze. I simply took my visitor badge and walked straight past them without a word. The meeting lasted an hour, and I remained calm the entire time. Logan glanced at me several times, but I never once met his eyes. When the meeting ended, I closed my laptop and strode right out. As I left the conference room, Logan caught up with me and followed me into the elevator."What was that about?""I'm just here to work.""You saw me and Genevieve. Why didn't you ask?"I turned to him. "If I had, w

Life in a foreign country was much simpler. My days followed the same routine—work, home, and back again. Leaving my apartment at 7:00 am every day and returning around 10:00 pm soon became the norm. Some nights, I was so exhausted that I didn't even feel like turning on the lights when I walked through the door. But at least this kind of exhaustion was bearable. It came from work, not from constantly having to deal with people who drained me. I settled into my new life quickly. There was a convenience store downstairs and a little coffee shop around the corner. On weekends, I'd go to the supermarket and stock up on everything I needed for the week, filling my fridge with all the food I liked. There were only my shoes by the front door. Only my things filled the bathroom cabinet. I'd always thought living alone would feel lonely. But now, I realized it meant no one could force their way into my life anymore. I still heard bits and pieces of what was happening back home

By the time Norvia's second rainy season came around, I'd gotten used to handling things on my own.When I got a flat tire, I'd call roadside assistance myself. When a pipe in my apartment started leaking, I emailed the property manager and scheduled a repair. If I worked late, I'd call a cab home. On weekends, when I had time, I'd drive out to the supermarket and stock up on everything I needed for the week.I'd always thought living alone would be exhausting. But eventually, I realized that living alone had never been what wore me down.What exhausted me was being completely drained and still having to make excuses for someone else's behavior.…It was pouring one evening. I stopped at a red light, my windshield wipers sweeping back and forth as warm air filled the car. For some reason, I suddenly remembered that stormy night back in Averon. I'd parked nearly a mile from home and walked the rest of the way with my bag clutched against me, water soaking through my shoes. I mu

Once I returned to Norvia, my life finally settled into a comfortable rhythm.I had a steady work schedule, a place of my own, and a parking spot that belonged to me.Every day after work, I'd drive home and park in my own space. On weekends when the weather was nice, I'd stop by the florist's and pick up a bouquet. On rainy days, I'd curl up on the couch and watch a movie.Sometimes, my coworkers invited me out for dinner. Other times, I'd drive to a nearby town and wander around the grocery store on my own.My life wasn't particularly exciting, but it was steady.…One evening, I came home from work and parked in the garage, but I didn't get out right away.The garage was quiet, the overhead lights casting a pale glow across the gray wall in front of me.I suddenly found myself thinking about the past. I thought about all those times I'd driven home, only to find myself unable to pull into my own parking space.I remembered Genevieve's car parked crookedly across the spot. I