Chapter 2 IT'S OVER

ELAINE

"I'm just going to say it, I never liked him,"

Gigi, my best friend, announced with zero hesitation, tilting her head back as she took a slow sip of her wine, her dark curls bouncing in movement.

"Gigi, you never tried to like him." I snorted, shaking my head.

"Because I knew he was trash," she shot back. "I didn't need to try, and now that you've finally kicked his sorry ass to the curb, I can say it without any guilt."

She raised her glass in a mock toast.

"To freedom!"

I couldn't help but laugh, though it came out weaker than I wanted.

"To freedom," I echoed softly, clinking my glass against hers.

Gigi studied me for a moment, her hazel eyes sharp.

"You don't look as happy as you should," she said to me. "You're free, Elaine. Free of that deadbeat leech and his nonsense. This should be the start of something better." She encouraged.

"I know," I muttered, setting my glass down on the coffee table. "It's just... I don't know. I spent so many years putting up with him. Carrying him. Now that it's over, it feels-empty."

"Empty?" Gigi scoffed. "Girl, it should feel like you just dropped a thousand-pound weight off your back. Don't mourn what was never worth it."

Her words stung a little, but only because they were true.

Devin hadn't been worth my tears. I know that now. I have known it for a long time, but I'd let myself believe that things might get better that he might get better.

"Yeah," I murmured, more to myself than to her. "You're right."

"Damn straight, I'm right," Gigi said, shifting closer and poking me in the arm. "Look, Elaine, you're twenty-seven. You've spent the last five years dragging dead weight while working yourself to the bone. It's about time you started thinking about yourself. What you want."

I let her words sink in as I stared at my glass.

What I wanted.

I wanted a lot of things, didn't I? I wanted more than long shifts at the nursing home, where I spent my days caring for others when no one cared for me.

I wanted to stop living paycheck to paycheck. I wanted to walk into a room and own it, to feel powerful and confident and completely untouchable.

I wanted money. Lots of it.

And I wanted to never, ever feel small and helpless again.

"I'll tell you what you're not gonna do," Gigi said firmly, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You're not gonna sit here and mope about that loser. You're gonna take control of your life, Elaine, and go after something better."

"Better," I repeated quietly, tasting the word.

"Better job. Better future. Better men," Gigi said, ticking off each one on her fingers, smirking at me at the last list. "Because you deserve it, and you know what else? You're gonna stop settling for anything."

Her words hit me.

Stop settling.

I have been settling my entire life, settling for less than I wanted, for less than I deserved, for scraps that Devin couldn't even bother to appreciate.

I gripped my wine glass tighter and looked up at her, something sparking to life inside me.

"You're right." I said again.

"I'm sorry, what?" Gigi blinked. "Did you just admit I'm right twice in one night?" She gasped, feigning shock.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

"Yeah, I did. Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late," she said smugly, but her expression softened as she studied me. "But seriously, babe, you can do this. You're strong, you're smart, and you're a knockout, don't think I didn't notice how half the guys in this neighbourhood turn their heads when you walk by."

"Gigi," I said, laughing despite myself.

"What? I'm serious!" She grinned and leaned back. "You've got everything it takes to go far, Elaine. You just have to stop holding yourself back. No more bending over for men who don't deserve you. No more settling for crumbs. Go take the whole damn cake."

For the first time in years, I felt like something in me had shifted, like a door had cracked open.

I nodded slowly, my resolve solidifying with every beat of my heart.

She was right. I was done settling. I'm done bending to anyone's will. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get myself at the top to the life I've always dreamed of.

"Now that's the Elaine I've been waiting for." Gigi grinned, raising her glass. I picked up my glass and clinked it against hers again..

"To breaking free," I said.

"To taking what's yours," Gigi replied, smiling.

And as I sipped my wine, I let those words wash over me. I was done being the woman who waited for life to happen to her.

I was going to take control.