A LETTER TO MY BELOVED - COMPLETE

Repercussions and Regret

Italics - Tyler

Normal font - Quinton

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''Listen, Tyler, I don't want to hear any more of your lies. I SAW YOU!!''

''Baby, you're mistaken. You were tipsy, and your vision was blurry.''

''DON'T YOU DARE BABY ME. I know what I saw; Sarah saw you too, and she was sober. She wasn't drinking that night like every other night we go out.''

A few minutes of silence go by.

''So....are you finally going to admit you cheated, then?''

''Okay, fine, yes, it was me. But please, baby, it was a mistake, an honest mistake. Please....forgive me.''

''And this the cue where you will be leaving. Sarah helped me pack your stuff this morning in that suitcase and backpack by the door.''

''You can leave now.''

Quinton walks to the door and opens it waiting for Tyler to leave the apartment.

''Baby, please think about this. I'm sorry.''

Quinton is deafeningly quiet as she motions Tyler to leave. Defeated by Quinton's refusal to budge, Tyler strolls over to his bags and collects them before heading out. Quinton walks out the door, slamming it shut behind him. Quinton, on the sofa, sighs and sobs painful tears as she covers her face in her hands after what seemed like an hour.

She phones her landlord a few days later to inform them that Tyler is no longer residing in the flat and demands that he be removed from the lease. She doesn't leave her room; she doesn't shower; she gets up to use the lavatory. For the next two months, this happened every night.

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Two months later

''Quinton As she enters into Quinton's cluttered room, Taylor says, "You need to get up and shower; you stink." "Taylor, please stop being so disrespectful. She's in the midst of a breakup." Taylor sits at the foot of Quinton's bed, rolling her eyes. "Come on; it's been two months already." "Get rid of that jerk."

"Sweetheart, don't listen to her. She has no idea what you're dealing with. Why don't we shower and watch a movie in the living room?" Kim inquired calmly. Quinton stands up, sniffing and shaking her head. ''Come.'' As they follow the other girls out, Kim wraps her arm around Quinton's shoulder and leads her to the living room.

After thirty minutes, the girls had built a fort, lit strawberry-scented candles (Quinton's favourite), and placed an order for takeaway without Quinton's awareness. She has dropped a lot of weight and is almost skin and bones since Quinton broke up with Tyler two months ago. Her eyes were black all around, her hair was a bird's nest, and her eyeballs were red. She had bags under her eyes, her eyes were black all around, her hair was a bird's nest, and her eyeballs were red. She looked and felt like a shambles. The girls were also worried, which is why they came over.

Quinton receives a text on her phone an hour into the film. She checks the number and discovers it is an unknown number, but she recognizes Tyler from the manner they were writing.

'Baby, please let me explain. I miss you, and I need you in my life.'

She chooses to disregard the notification and rotates her phone screen in the opposite direction. Tyler has been sending her texts from an anonymous number he uses to disguise himself, but she has never responded to any of them. She doesn't want to remain with or return to someone who cheats on her and then attempts to cover it up.

The girls were stuffed by the end of the night, and Quinton was fast asleep on the fort's couch. While the girls were cleaning up the trash from their dinner, Sarah and Kim discovered her sleeping and silently moved her to her room.

Kim tucks Quinton in and walks back into the living room, closing the door behind her. "How is she?' Sarah and Taylor excitedly question. "I suppose she's OK," I observed. She only ate a couple of slices of pizza and nothing else. I'm guessing the breakup has affected her appetite. Kim expresses her suffering with a troubled expression on her face. "Perhaps one of us should stay with her for a while, maybe permanently, until she gets better," Sarah suggests as she waits for Taylor and Kim to respond. Kim answers, "Sure, it seems like a wonderful plan," but Taylor merely rolls her eyes.

''She is a grown woman; she doesn't need babysitting.''

Taylor communicates her dissatisfaction. "Taylor, please don't be so disrespectful." Just because you're not available emotionally doesn't mean the rest of us can't help her." Kim communicates her displeasure with Taylor. "Exactly; what has been bothering you lately?" You've been disrespectful the entire night, and every time we've discussed Quinton after her breakup. Every time, you roll your eyes.'' Tyler shrugs and snatches her car key from the table. "I'm not sure. Can you tell me?" You're the one who believes there's a problem with me."

Sarah and Kim look at each other, puzzled at Taylor's behaviour, as she heads towards the door. ''Anyway, I've got a late-night booty call waiting for me at the restaurant by my place. You want me to drop you guys?'' Both Sarah and Kim shook their heads no, ''We are staying tonight. And we were hoping you would too, but your priorities lie elsewhere.'' Kim shoots at her.

''What is your problem? Seriously? Is it always about Quinton? You guys baby her so fucking much!!!'' Taylor begins to raise her voice. ''Firstly, keep your voice down. She is sleeping in the other room. Secondly, She is our friend, and if you haven't noticed, she is going through something right now.'' Sarah said in a disappointed tone.

''You know what? Just go, go to your stupid booty call. You're not needed here anyway.'' Kim says, trying to end the conversation. Taylor opens and slams the door behind her as she leaves. ''Wow, someone sure is feisty!'' Kim exasperates. ''I know, but leave her be. Her parents are going through a divorce right now, and she is taking it out on us.'' Kim stayed quiet at the revelation and sat on the couch.

The girls stayed the night in the guest room.

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The next morning, the girls were already up and in the kitchen. Sarah was making coffee as Kim made breakfast for the trio. Quinton wakes up to the smell of bacon, sausages and eggs as she saunters into the open plan kitchen and living space. ''Come and eat breakfast. We will talk and hang out.'' Kim says when she notices Quinton lying on the couch face down in one of the cushions.