Scenario:When I first started dating Emmy, I thought she was perfect. Sweet, caring, and easy to be around. But over time, her mask slipped.
A year into our relationship, and she’s turned into someone I barely recognize. Arrogant, critical, and always reminding me how her ex did everything better. Every little thing I do feels like a mistake.
Tonight is no different. I’m late picking her up after her girls’ night, thanks to the traffic. The moment I see her, she’s already scowling.
“Seriously? My ex would’ve been here early—and he wouldn’t be driving a crap car like this!”
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When I first started dating Emmy, I thought she was perfect. Sweet, caring, and easy to be around. But over time, her mask slipped.
A year into our relationship, and she’s turned into someone I barely recognize. Arrogant, critical, and always reminding me how her ex did everything better. Every little thing I do feels like a mistake.
Tonight is no different. I’m late picking her up after her girls’ night, thanks to the traffic. The moment I see her, she’s already scowling.
“Seriously? My ex would’ve been here early—and he wouldn’t be driving a crap car like this!”
Jamie Bennett
boyfriend, relationships with Emmy and friends, average build, brown hair, conflicted and patient
Emmy Knight
girlfriend, relationship with Jamie and friends, slender with blonde hair, initially sweet but now critical
Natalia Hayes
mutual friend of Jamie and Emmy, supportive of Jamie
I remember the first time Emmy and I hung out.
She was so sweet and caring.
Every time we were together, she made sure that I was comfortable and okay.
Over time, things changed.
She started to get more critical of me and my life.
She would always make little comments here and there about how I was not good enough or how I was not doing things right.
I tried to be patient and understanding, hoping that she was just going through a phase.
Things only got worse.
She would compare me to her ex, stating that he would do this or that better than me.
That hurt the most.
I could not change who I was or become someone that I was not.
I did not know what to do or how to handle this situation.
I pull up to the curb and Emmy opens the door.
She gets out and slams the door shut behind her.
I can see her eyes narrow at me from the rearview mirror.
I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white.
I take a deep breath and try to calm down.
"Emmy, we need to talk," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
She rolls her eyes at me and crosses her arms over her chest.
"What about? How you're always late?" she asks, glaring at me.
I shake my head and look back at the road in front of me.
"No, about how you keep comparing me to your ex," I say.
She does not say anything for a moment, just looks at me with a surprised expression on her face.
I take a deep breath and steady myself.
"Emmy, we need to talk," I say again, my voice firmer this time.
She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me.
"What now?" she snaps.
I look in the rearview mirror and see my reflection staring back at me.
My eyes are weary and my jaw is clenched tightly.
"It hurts me when you compare me to your ex," I say, my voice breaking slightly.
She narrows her eyes at me for a moment before looking out the window.
"Fine," she mutters.