Bully stepbrother

20. Drunk

MADISON

Everything was difficult to absorb at this moment; I recoiled as though struck by a truck.

As the bitch grinned at me, Caleb feigned a guilty expression.

No! No!

My disdain for men intensifies. I don't know for others but for me, I've realized these creatures have brought me nothing but pain.

My father came first, followed by Caden, and now it's Caleb.
I wonder how broken I would've been if I were a more romantically open person.

I liked Caleb, perhaps even felt something deeper for him.

With him, I thought I had found happiness. He made me feel alive and happy after years of solitude in high school. With Caleb, I dared to hope for change. A chance.

Just hours ago, I believed whatever Caden had implanted in my mind had been shattered by this handsome man with red hair.

But I was wrong. The man I thought was my savior, the superhero who might rescue me, turned out to be just another bully. In an instant, Caleb extinguished all the light I had found, leaving me in absolute darkness.

I've reached a point where I've encountered significant challenges. I find myself experiencing a strong negative reaction towards men due to the difficult situations I've faced. The pain I've endured from these experiences is beyond words, leaving me feeling isolated and longing for understanding. These encounters have led me to envision a world without their presence, almost like an ideal paradise.

It's important to recognize that we all have our limits, and constantly being available for others doesn't make us invincible. Even things that bounce back occasionally lose their resilience over time.
I've always aimed to communicate openly and clearly, seeking genuine understanding. Unfortunately, my efforts as a woman are often met with unjustified accusations and criticism. They label me as someone who talks excessively, seeks attention, lacks self-respect, and harbors bitterness.

It's a sad irony that extending kindness to those who have been there for them is so challenging for some individuals.

It's disheartening to see that my vulnerability is always exploited when I open up and share my true self, for the reassurance for both of us. They're always eagerly waiting for me to be at my most comfortable before ruthlessly striking at my exposed vulnerabilities that I shared with them, effectively making a mockery of my sincerity.

My voice seems overshadowed by theirs, and while my emotions are exposed and vulnerable, they manage to protect their own feelings with strong barriers, just so not to feel any less of themselves. How is that even fair?

How can I love someone who doesn't love me? Someone who doesn't let me love them? How can I pursue something intangible when I'm struggling to even reach it? I've always known love doesn't last. I just didn't know it felt like chasing after a cloud.

With the men in my life, I'm simply sinking deeper into agony with each step and hell, the future has no road map to guide me for what to dodge or where to go. Despite my eyes being open, I'm still blinded by the complexity of it all.

"Maddie?" I heard him call cautiously. Through my blurry eyes, I saw him push Avery off his lap. "I can explain," he stammered.

He straightened up, his eyes wide, though not as impossibly as mine.

That's the line they always use. They believe they can explain away their unbelievable mistakes, expecting forgiveness even when they know it's impossible and unforgettable.

How cruel can they be?

Seeing my so-called boyfriend with Avery, the girl who constantly flirts with my stepbrother, solidified the mind-boggling reality. I shook my head in disbelief, finding his words unconvincing and far-fetched.