Chapter 1

" We need to talk " Jayden said quietly, his voice heavy with an unusual gravity as he gestured toward the living room. Ava's heart sank as she followed him, feeling a sense of impending doom in his demeanor.

They settled onto the couch, a noticeable distance between them. Ava felt the tension in the air, her heart pounding in anticipation of what Jayden might say next. He remained distant, staring off into the distance, making it harder for her to read his thoughts.

" What's going on, Jay? " Ava finally asked, her voice tinged with concern.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words. " Ava, I've been feeling... lost, confused. I've been trying to make sense of it all, but I can't "

Ava's stomach clenched, a sense of foreboding settling in. " What do you mean? "

" I don't know how to say this without hurting you " Jayden began, finally turning to look at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and sadness. " I think we need some time apart, a break from us "

Her heart plummeted, the words hitting her like a physical blow. " A break? " Ava's voice quivered.

" I need space, Ava. I need to figure things out on my own " Jayden explained, his tone heavy with regret. " I don't want to drag you into my confusion and hurt you in the process "

Ava fought back tears, struggling to comprehend his request. " But I thought... I thought we were in this together "

" We were, we are " Jayden reassured, reaching out to hold her hand. " But right now, I'm not in the right headspace to give you what you deserve. I need time to sort through my thoughts, my feelings "

Suddenly, as though she knew it was all a facade, her voice hardened " Drop the act Jayden, tell me what's really wrong with you "

Jayden's previous expression of sadness changed and he smirked " You were quick to figure that out, huh? "

She rolled her eyes " I've known you for almost a year so shoot, what's really wrong? "

He eyed her, wondering if she was stupid because he just explained " I just told you why I think we should take a break "

" We both know that's not true, you've been giving me attitude for the past few months and I need you to tell me what's going on " She said quietly.

" I need a break, Ava " He said, tired of the conversation already.

" Why? " She questioned " Don't you love me anymore? Why? Haven't I been a good girlfriend? " She maintained her composure as she threw her questions at him.

He laughed scornfully " You might have to answer the second question yourself, darling "

Ava's stomach twisted into knots, and she knew things were about to get ugly. Really ugly.

" Whatever in the world do you mean? " She asked slowly.

" Have you been a good girlfriend? " He asked

She rolled her eyes the second time, waving off the not so good feeling " Of course. I love you, Jayden "

He laughed again, his laughter evil " And how have you managed to prove that, honey? " He mocked.

" I've always shown you that I care, haven't I? Please Jayden, stop all these " She pleaded but little did she know what Jayden had in store for her.

He shook his head " No you don't love me, you have proven it to me "

" How?! " She asked in exasperation.

" You refused to let me make love to you and you're telling me you love me??! No you don't " He shouted.

Ava stood still, understanding the whole thing now. He had been asking her for sex but after she told him the story of how she was almost raped which heightened the fear of having sex, he promised to wait until she was ready. Of course there were times when they got intimate but didn't go all the way as Ava would gently push him away and go do other things.

" So this was it? Sex? " She asked in a disappointed voice.

He glared at her " How am I supposed to know you loved me if you refused to have sex with me? "

" You're a baby, Jayden. All these months I've always thought you were mature enough to understand what I went through. Now I realize I was wrong, really " She said with a shake of her head.

He started talking " Mature you say?? I've been patient enough with you for the past... "

Ava cut in " But I told you everything, Jayden! I told you... " She wasn't allowed to finish her sentence because it was Jayden's turn to cut her off.

" Stop, I don't wanna listen to more trash you want to say " He interrupted, holding up a finger.

" I want a break " He said with a tone of finality and got up.

" There's another lady in the picture, right? " She asked quietly, too tired to plead with him.

" You're damn right, there is " He smirked. At that moment, his phone rang and he looked at his caller ID and a bright smile lightened up his face and his gaze softened.

" Talk of the devil " He muttered and turned the phone in Ava's direction to see who it was.

And it was no other person but her friend, Cassandra.

She sucked in a sharp breath " Ca... Cassandra?! "

He smiled " She's the woman you can never be, not even if you try. "

Tears threatened to flow but she blinked them back, not wanting to give him the satisfaction that he succeeded in hurting her so she listened on in silence.