I Stressed for Months to Be With Them — They Were Never Planning to Be With Me Chapter 07

I Stressed for Months to Be With Them — They Were Never Planning to Be With Me Chapter 07

I was painting alone in the studio when my professor noticed the light was still on and came over. His voice carried genuine admiration.”

“Claire, there’s something alive in your work. Your brushwork has a mood and perspective that are

entirely your own. That’s rare.”

I ran my fingertips along the edge of the canvas, caught off guard by the praise.

Asher and Vanessa had mocked my paintings for years, and their constant dismissal had made me doubt myself more times than I could count.

Now, thousands of miles from home, someone had finally seen the passion I poured into every layer of color.

During a break that evening, I video-called my mother.

My mother hesitated for a long moment before speaking.

“Claire, Asher called me again a few days ago. He kept asking for your new number in London, but I

didn’t give it to him.”

My hand paused over the canvas, though my voice remained calm.

“Mom, Asher and I broke up. The next time he calls, just hang up.

She sighed.

“All right. Just promise me you’re taking care of yourself over there. Don’t skip meals or push

yourself too hard.”

“I’m not going to keep putting myself last for anyone. You don’t have to worry about me.”

A few minutes after we ended the call, Vanessa called me.

“Claire, could you please talk some sense into Asher?”/

“He’s planning to give up his place at Westmere University because of you, even after working so hard to get in.”

“He says he’s going to London to study with you. Tell him to stop before he throws away his future.”

I leaned against the window and watched the snow fall outside, speaking calmly.

“We’ve already broken up. Whatever decision he makes is his responsibility, not mine.”

“Don’t use his choices to guilt me.”

“I was the one who stepped aside. There’s no one standing between you now, so you’re free to have what you wanted. Why are you still calling me?”

The other end of the line went silent.

When Vanessa spoke again, her voice had lost its edge.

“I was fooling myself. He never loved me. You’re the one he’s always loved.”

She sniffed back tears.

“Westmere University means everything to him.”

“I’m sorry, Claire. I was selfish, and I hurt you. Could you forgive me just this once? Could we still

be friends?”

“No.”

All I felt was numbness.

“The damage is already done. Once trust is broken like this, you can’t put it back together.”

I ended the call.

A short while later, my roommate pushed open the studio door.

“Claire, someone’s downstairs looking for you.”

I put on my heavy winter coat and headed downstairs.

Snow was falling heavily outside the art building. Asher stood in the snow, his clothes damp and his face worn with exhaustion. The moment he saw me, he hurried toward me.

“Claire, I know you’re angry with me. I’m not asking you to forgive me right now. Just give me a few

minutes to talk to you alone. Please.”

I looked at how miserable he appeared and felt no sympathy at all.

“I already told you everything I had to say over the phone.”

“Asher, I don’t love you anymore.”

He stayed where he was, blocking my path.

“I know I was an idiot. I ignored you and took you for granted, but I can change.”

“I gave up my place at Westmere University. I can stay here in London, walk you to class every day,

and be there whenever you need me.”

“I only want a chance to make things right. I’ll never let you feel neglected again.”

His words only irritated me.

I turned around and went back inside.

Over the following days, he showed up everywhere I went.

He brought breakfast every morning, waited outside after class with flowers, and followed me to

the studio.

No matter how firmly I rejected or avoided him, he refused to leave me alone.

His refusal to leave me alone eventually exhausted my patience.

I called his parents and told them everything that had been happening.

Mrs. Hayes’s voice trembled.

“Claire, I’m so sorry. We should’ve raised him better than this. We’ll come get him immediately.”

When his parents arrived, however, Asher still refused to leave.

“I’m not leaving. I’m staying here.”

Mr. Hayes finally lost his patience and struck him across the face.

“Wake

You didn’t appreciate Claire when you had her, and you broke her heart. Harassing her now isn’t going to win her back. It’s only going to make her hate you more.”