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"You Were Just My Backup Plan in Case He Flaked," She Said Without Shame

"You Were Just My Backup Plan in Case He Flaked," She Said Without Shame

Chapter 7

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There it was: the apology. But it didn't land the way she thought it would, because by then, I didn't need it. I'd already healed, already moved on, already realized that people who truly love you don't make you feel like a backup. They choose you first and always.I didn't respond. She'd used her words before to manipulate, to cover up, to justify. Now, her words were powerless. I didn't need them. I had something better: I had peace.About two months after Jess's last email, her name popped up again, but not in my inbox. This time, it was on my phone—an unknown number, but the message made it obvious:"Hey. I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from, but I just wanted to say I'm really happy for you. I saw some photos of you and that girl. She seems sweet. You look really good."I didn't respond.An hour later, another one came through:"I've been thinking a lot lately about us. About how I ruined something solid because I was chasing some fantasy. I don't expect anything. Just, if you ever want to talk, I'd really like that."Still no response.She followed up the next day with a picture: a selfie. No words, just her looking into the camera with that same forced pout she used to post on Instagram.Blocked.I figured that would be it, but Jess was never good at taking a hint, especially when she felt the power slipping. Soon, her friends started showing up in my inbox.Megan: "Hey, I know things got messy, but she's really not doing well. I've never seen her like this. She misses you. I'm not saying you should forgive her, but maybe just talk to her."Sam, a mutual friend: "She's been asking about you a lot, man. Says she made the biggest mistake of her life. You don't owe her anything. Just letting you know."I didn't engage with any of it. I wasn't angry anymore; I was indifferent, and that's what made it worse for her. Because the one thing Jess had always counted on was getting a reaction. And now, she got nothing.Then, about a month later, the final message came: long, desperate, rambling.
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"You Were Just My Backup Plan in Case He Flaked," She Said Without Shame

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