I'm Done Being Ignored의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 9

I had barely muted the group chat when Kendra's notification flashed across my screen."I can't take you to see the new house this weekend. Something else came up."I frowned, fingers hovering over the keyboard before I typed, "Is it really that urgent? I moved my entire work schedule just to get this weekend off. There's something important I want to discuss, too."However, Kendra never replied.…When I checked the group chat, she was still happily chatting away with Josiah. Apparently, she had plenty of time to talk to him, just not to me.I wasn't going to embarrass myself by chasing her for an answer. So I put my phone aside, opened my laptop, and started writing my resignation letter.I'd been feeling burned out for a while, and everything that had happened lately only made it worse. I was tired of my job and the constant disappointment, and honestly, I just wanted to get away from it all for a while.The next morning, I went to HR to submit my resignation. The vice presi

Kendra fell silent.As soon as we stepped out of the car, she rushed to my side and reached for my hand. I slipped away, hands deep in my jacket pockets.Before she could say anything, Josiah slipped between us and linked his arm through hers. Kendra didn't pull away. Instead, she instinctively reached out to keep him from bumping into the car door.I saw it all, but I said nothing. I just turned and headed toward the house.The instant we stepped inside, Josiah's stomachache vanished. He grabbed Kendra's arm and whisked her from room to room, pointing things out and commenting on the decor as if the place were his."Kendra, remember those curtains in the guest room I told you I hated? Why haven't you changed them yet?""Because I told the contractors to leave them alone," I answered before she could speak. "The color you picked was hideous."I looked straight at him. "Besides, this is supposed to be my home with Kendra. Since when do you get a say in how we decorate it?"Jos

The moment my flight landed in Dunridge, I switched off airplane mode. My phone immediately lit up with notifications, mostly from Kendra."You moved out? Why didn't you tell me? Where are you?""What the hell was that Instagram post supposed to mean? My parents are calling me about it!""Xavier, answer your damn phone!"There were plenty more, but I couldn't be bothered to read them all.For once, Kendra even addressed me directly in our group chat."Xavier, my mom keeps asking when we're getting married. Josiah's worried about you, too. Why aren't you answering?"Below her message were two voice notes from Josiah. I had no desire to sit through another one of his crying fits, so I used the tranion feature instead.Sure enough, he was still playing the victim."Maybe I should call Xavier again and apologize.""This is all my fault. You two are supposed to be getting married, and now you're fighting because of me. It's just a job. If I lose it, I'll find another one."I shoo

"I've spent eighteen years living in your shadow!" Josiah shouted. "Eighteen years! Can't I fight for something I want for once?"He pointed at me, his face red with anger. "You've always had everything! Money, looks, connections. No matter what I did, you were always better off than me. But look at me now! I've got a good job. "I'm a manager! I work out, I take care of myself, and I know just as much about those expensive designer brands as you do! So, why the hell does everyone still like you more than me?"I couldn't believe that after everything I'd just said, he still didn't get it."You really want to know why?" I asked. "Because you're an ungrateful piece of shit, Josiah. That's why."He fell silent, but I wasn't about to let him off that easily."You've spent years taking whatever you could get from me. I helped you when you had nothing, got you opportunities you never would've had otherwise, and stood by you when no one else would. And how did you repay me? By spending

Josiah held the wedding card tightly, then suddenly pulled me into a hug and burst into tears.It wasn't the kind of crying I'd grown used to from him—the kind that always seemed meant to win someone's sympathy. This time, he was truly falling apart, shoulders shaking as he struggled to get the words out."I'm sorry, Xavier. I'm so sorry. After everything that's happened, I finally realize how good you were to me."He kept apologizing, his voice breaking with sobs, until he finally managed to ask, "Do you think we could ever...""There's no 'we' anymore, Josiah," I interrupted. "There's you, and there's me. That's how it has to be."I gently pulled away from him.The arrogance and resentment I'd once known were gone, and I almost felt sorry for him. However, pity didn't mean I wanted him back in my life."I wish you a happy marriage. I really do. But that's all I can give you."Josiah lowered his eyes to the card, unable to look at me."I'm not staying for the reception," I ad