He Said Someone Like Him Would Never Date Me — So I Made Sure He Never Would

was to transition.”

Transition. Like I was a subscription he’d canceled.

I thanked her. Walked to my car. Sat there staring at the steering wheel while the truth settled with chilling clarity. Derek hadn’t drifted away. He’d replaced me. And while I was paying for stability—rent, groceries, insurance—he’d been building a new life on top of the one I continue reading …