Chapter 5

There's no question about it, we were once again giving each other the cold shoulder.

This time, however, I've decided not to be the one who tries to mend things.

I've finally gathered what remains of my self-respect and used it as a shield for my emotions.

I've been focusing on my career and personal life without concerning myself with Jack's affairs.

In the past, I would bombard his phone with messages and calls during our disagreements, persisting until he finally answered.

Afterward, I'd erase my messages to create the illusion that he was the one initiating contact.

This was my way of convincing myself that he cared.

The anticipation of his responses used to make me uneasy and impacted my job performance.

Now that I've stopped waiting for him, I feel more at ease than ever before.

I no longer fret about him oversleeping without my wake-up calls, wonder if he's eating well, or worry about who he's with when he doesn't pick up the phone.