The Other Woman in His Shadows - Chapter 8: Chapter 8
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Jason couldn't wrap his head around why I'd suddenly pulled away—why I wasn't clinging to him like I used to.
"Jason, what are you talking about? This is just how I am."
"Why are you calling me by my full name now? You hate that." His voice sharpened, frustration bleeding through.
Ever since we got together, I'd stopped using just his name—it felt too cold, too much like he was just another Yves to me. A brother, not a lover.
"But you don't like it when I call you by your nickname either," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "You told me to stop clinging, so I did. What's the problem now?"
"Oh, right. Didn't you promise to introduce me to someone better than you? When's that happening?" I added, feigning indifference.
"Zoey!" His jaw clenched, fingers tightening around my wrist. "Are you trying to piss me off? That was a drunk joke. We're not broken up—you're not allowed to be with anyone else!"
"I took it seriously," I said, yanking my hand free. "The second those words left your mouth, we were done. Let me spell it out for you—we're over. From now on, the most we'll ever be is friends."
"Friends?" He let out a bitter laugh, eyes burning. "Did you even think about me before saying that?"
I inhaled slowly, steadying myself. "Jason, I regret us. I regret you. That's why I'm ending this. Clear enough?"
"Like hell I'll agree! You don't get to decide that alone!" he snapped.
Because I already wasted a lifetime on you.
Ending My Seven-Year Secret Relationship
"Jason, have you forgotten about Shairine? You can't let her go, and she's still in love with you. I'm just making it easier—why are you the one upset?"
"She's in the past. I'm never getting back with her." His voice cracked, desperation seeping in. "If she's the issue, I swear I'll cut her off completely. It'll only be you from now on."
Two seconds later, his phone rang.
He declined it.
It rang again.
Declined.
But I'd already seen the caller ID—Shai. No prizes for guessing who.
When it rang a third time, I sighed. "Just answer. It might be urgent."
Hesitation flickered across his face.
Then he caved.
The moment he picked up, muffled sobs spilled through the speaker—something about a car accident.
Jason's expression twisted, voice softening instantly. "Hey, it's okay. Just hold on—I'll be there in five."
Hanging up, he turned to me, torn. "Zoey, I have to go. We'll talk later. And we're not breaking up."
Before I could respond, he was already halfway out the door.
I didn't dwell. Just headed to work.
Later, as my shift wound down, Mom called.
"Blind date's set. Sending you the details—don't flake on him."
"Got it," I said, already pulling up my calendar. "Wouldn't dream of it."
"Jason, what are you talking about? This is just how I am."
"Why are you calling me by my full name now? You hate that." His voice sharpened, frustration bleeding through.
Ever since we got together, I'd stopped using just his name—it felt too cold, too much like he was just another Yves to me. A brother, not a lover.
"But you don't like it when I call you by your nickname either," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "You told me to stop clinging, so I did. What's the problem now?"
"Oh, right. Didn't you promise to introduce me to someone better than you? When's that happening?" I added, feigning indifference.
"Zoey!" His jaw clenched, fingers tightening around my wrist. "Are you trying to piss me off? That was a drunk joke. We're not broken up—you're not allowed to be with anyone else!"
"I took it seriously," I said, yanking my hand free. "The second those words left your mouth, we were done. Let me spell it out for you—we're over. From now on, the most we'll ever be is friends."
"Friends?" He let out a bitter laugh, eyes burning. "Did you even think about me before saying that?"
I inhaled slowly, steadying myself. "Jason, I regret us. I regret you. That's why I'm ending this. Clear enough?"
"Like hell I'll agree! You don't get to decide that alone!" he snapped.
Because I already wasted a lifetime on you.
Ending My Seven-Year Secret Relationship
"Jason, have you forgotten about Shairine? You can't let her go, and she's still in love with you. I'm just making it easier—why are you the one upset?"
"She's in the past. I'm never getting back with her." His voice cracked, desperation seeping in. "If she's the issue, I swear I'll cut her off completely. It'll only be you from now on."
Two seconds later, his phone rang.
He declined it.
It rang again.
Declined.
But I'd already seen the caller ID—Shai. No prizes for guessing who.
When it rang a third time, I sighed. "Just answer. It might be urgent."
Hesitation flickered across his face.
Then he caved.
The moment he picked up, muffled sobs spilled through the speaker—something about a car accident.
Jason's expression twisted, voice softening instantly. "Hey, it's okay. Just hold on—I'll be there in five."
Hanging up, he turned to me, torn. "Zoey, I have to go. We'll talk later. And we're not breaking up."
Before I could respond, he was already halfway out the door.
I didn't dwell. Just headed to work.
Later, as my shift wound down, Mom called.
"Blind date's set. Sending you the details—don't flake on him."
"Got it," I said, already pulling up my calendar. "Wouldn't dream of it."
End of The Other Woman in His Shadows Chapter 8. Continue reading Chapter 9 or return to The Other Woman in His Shadows book page.