He Left Our Relationship on Read

Jennie's POV

Eugene Walsh realized I was missing two hours later.

His ringtone was a foreign rock song I never really liked. Once, I playfully asked him to change it to the light music I preferred, but he was deeply annoyed by the request.

Even now, I could vividly remember his cold, harsh tone.

"Do I have to do everything you say?"

I had been so embarrassed that I immediately apologized.

But just moments ago, my best friend, Haley Woodward, suddenly posted a new update on Instagram.

"Unbelievable. I'm so sick of the song I recommended to this one idiot three months ago, but he's still using it."

Eugene had replied three minutes ago, "Who are you calling an idiot?"

"You!" Haley instantly shot back.

My phone kept ringing with incoming calls.

I suddenly felt like laughing. How many hearts did Eugene have to be able to juggle two women at once?

When he saw that I wasn't answering his calls, his bombardment switched to a flood of text messages.

"Where the hell did you go? Stop throwing a tantrum, okay? It's late, and I'm exhausted," he complained nonstop.

As if still shaken by the memory, the cab driver added, "Miss, you probably have no idea, but a sexual assault happened at that station just two days ago. The victim didn't even make it, and the whole city's been on edge ever since.

"That's why I was so shocked to pick you up tonight. If I were your parents, I'd be worried sick and wouldn't get a minute of sleep."

My fingers twitched, and my eyes fell back on the screen.

"Why are you being so unreasonable? I was just a little late picking you up.

"Besides, Haley is a guest and your best friend. What's wrong with letting her have her way for once?"

My hands began to tremble as I held the phone. It hurt sharply like a knife sliced through my heart.

The driver panicked and quickly comforted me. "Hey, don't cry. I'll stop talking."

My eyes were red-rimmed as I shook my head and felt strangely relieved. "No… I should be the one thanking you."

Shortly after the last massage, Eugene added, "Forget it. I'm done trying to appease you, Jennie Baldwin. Calm down and think about it yourself."

Out of 28 messages, 27 were accusations, and they ended with him claiming he was done trying to soothe me.

Exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave. I turned off the phone, closed my eyes, and fell asleep.

…

When I woke up, we were home. The driver saw how exhausted I was and waited for me for three hours, so I paid him an extra 50 dollars.

He was overjoyed and made sure to leave me with a last piece of advice before driving off.

"Hurry inside and change your shoes, miss. They're soaked through."

Deeply moved, I nodded and said goodbye.