"I didn't mean to hurt you," he stammered, his eyes wide with guilt. "I just don't want you to leave."
I rubbed my reddened wrist, anger and pity warring within me. "I've made myself clear, Ethan. We can never return to the past, nor can we start anew."
The movers shifted uncomfortably behind me, pretending not to listen.
"There's no need for you to engage in these self-gratifying acts," I continued flatly. "You tried to sever your life force. If you're such an extreme person, I'm only thankful that I left you, rather than feeling that you loved me so much you couldn't live without me."
His face crumpled at my words, but I forced myself to continue. This needed to be said.
"I don't want to carry a life on my back after a relationship," I finished, stepping into the elevator with the b
