Page 2 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
“Me? I’m not the one throwing away four years like they meant nothing!” I retort, my voice shaking with emotion. “You don’t even care about what this will do to me or Leo you selfish bastard!”
“Stella, I’m not responsible for you and your brother,” Owen says dismissively, leaning back in his chair with an air of detachment. “You can’t force me to sacrifice what I want for you.”
“Really?” I choke out incredulously. “You want to talk about sacrifice right? I worked two jobs just to support us while you were in school! I put my dreams of becoming a nurse on hold so you could become some hotshot programmer, and now that you are…” I laugh sarcastically, shaking my head. “Now that you’ve got a little money lining your pockets…Now, you want to go find bigger and better things, right?”
The words tumble out of me, fueled by years of unknown pent-up resentment and sacrifice. An uneasy knot forms in my stomach as I think about the financial implications of our breakup. How am I supposed to support myself and Leo without Owen’s help?
I never should have quit those jobs…I never should have trusted him.
This is what I get for thinking I could rely on a man.
“Look, Stella, I appreciate everything you did for me, but it’s time for a change,” Owen replies, unfazed by my despair. “We both need to grow and find ourselves.”
“Grow and find ourselves?” I scoff, choking back a sob. “If that’s what you want, then you can go find yourself. But don’t expect me to be here waiting for you when you come crawling back.”
The words leave my lips with a finality that signals the end of our relationship. As I stare into Owen’s eyes, I see a man who will never understand the impact of his actions or the pain he has caused.And he doesn’t care.
“Goodbye, Stella,” he says with a cold finality.
“Goodbye, Owen.” I turn away from him, blinking back tears that threaten to spill. I leave the restaurant, my heart heavy.
2
STELLA
Ipush open the glass doors and make my way down the familiar hallway. The faint scent of antiseptic hangs in the air, a constant reminder of the career I’m being forced to let go of. My stomach churns with anxiety, but it’s not like I have a choice.
What I want doesn’t matter.Not anymore.
“Stella,” Professor Maddox greets me with a warm smile as I enter her office. “Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you, Professor,” I reply, settling into the chair opposite her desk. I clasp my hands together, bracing myself for the conversation ahead.
“I got your email about withdrawing from the program,” she says, her tone laced with concern. “I wanted to talk to you before making any final decisions. You’re one of our most promising students, Stella, and I can’t help but feel that you’re throwing away an incredible opportunity.”
Her words sting, but I know she means well.
If you were in my shoes…you’d understand.
“I understand where you’re coming from, Professor, but my circumstances have changed. I need to focus on my family right now. I wish there was another way. It’s just not possible for me to continue in the program.”
“Stella, you have such potential to make a difference in people’s lives as a nurse,” Professor Maddox insists, leaning forward. “Your dedication, empathy, and resilience are qualities we desperately need in healthcare. Are you sure there isn’t any way we can work this out?”
I bite my lip, fighting back tears. As much as I want to be a nurse and help others, I can’t deny the reality of my situation. And my brother comes before anyone else…he has to. “I wish there were, but I’ve explored all the options. For now, this is what I have to do.”
“Stella,” she says softly, her eyes filled with compassion, “I hate to lose you, but it’s your decision to make. Just remember your dreams and don’t give up on them, okay? And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll find your way back to nursing.”
I smile at her. I always did like Professor Maddox because she actually cared about her students. I, definitely, didn’t think that I’d be leaving her classes so soon…but there’s nothing else that I can do.
All because of stupid Owen.
I take a deep breath. “Thank you for everything,” I say, my voice steady despite the emotion threatening to break through.
With a final nod, I turn and walk away from the office, leaving behind the dreams I’ve nurtured for years. As the door closesbehind me, I feel the weight of my decision settling on my shoulders.
The sun is dipping low in the sky as I climb into my old car, its paint chipped and faded. It’s all I could afford when I was looking for a car, and if it isn’t broken, why fix it?
The engine sputters to life, and my hands grip the wheel tightly as I navigate the familiar roads leading away from the college campus, each mile taking me further from the path I thought I’d follow.
