The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Suddenly, Sherry's expression soured. "When Gavin and I first got together, all my friends tried to warn me. They kept saying a guy who stayed that close to another woman would only end up breaking my heart.

"But I didn't want to hear it. I thought they were making a big deal out of nothing, and I convinced myself that if I let those doubts take over, I'd never find real love.

"So, I threw myself into the relationship with Gavin. But once we were together, it didn't take long for me to realize they'd been right all along.

"To him, that woman always came first. Every time she went after me, he'd turn around and demand I apologize to her. At first, I could let it slide. But over time, it just wears me down."

Her voice was thick with exhaustion.

Sasha nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

"Lately, we got into it again over her," Sherry said. "And once again, he sided with her without hesitation. When I finally calmed down and thought it through, I realized nothing had changed after all these years.

what kind of future am I even looking at? I could see myself stuck in this cycle for years,

work and really living my

deep breath and added, "And these past few months, I've learned so much. Now I can't help but wonder if I'd left Gavin

small surge of relief. Sherry's tone made one thing clear-after everything she'd been through, she wasn't about to jump back into a relationship

absolutely would have," Sasha said. "A toxic man does nothing but drain you. Cutting him loose was the only way to breathe

disbelief written across her face. "You don't hate

your circle can't stand

shared interests. Honestly, I can't and them either. They're nothing but

"But you seemed so cold

bluntly, "The only things knew about you were what they said. They painted you as

who