Chapter 2The Avoidant’s New Shadow

They say avoidants will repeatedly push away the people they love most.

Three days ago, we fought at the airport.

Caleb wanted me to spend Christmas with his parents. I couldn't. My grandfather was in the ICU, and the doctors said it was a matter of days. I showed Caleb the photos—my grandfather, skin and bones, hooked up to machines.

Caleb is a good person at his core. He felt bad for my grandpa. But he didn't feel bad for me.

"What about me?" he asked. "I told my family you were coming. Everyone’s expecting you."

"Chloe, you just don't want to commit. You're looking for an excuse."

It was the old routine. He’d take a legitimate conflict and twist it until it was my fault. He’d say I didn't love him enough. He didn't want to solve the problem; he wanted to avoid the reality of my pain.

If I didn't back down, he’d end it with a cold "Fine, we're done."

But I couldn't let my grandfather spend his last Christmas without me.

"Babe," I pleaded, "I’ll visit them right after New Year’s, okay?"

Caleb snapped. He shoved my shoulder—not hard, but enough to create distance.

"Forget it. I don't need this."

"Go home to your family. I'll go to mine. Let’s just forget the marriage talk for now."

He grabbed his suitcase and walked away. He didn't look back once, even when I yelled that I loved him.

On the train home, I sent a dozen texts explaining, apologizing, even asking my parents to help me talk to him.

But as the messages sat on "Delivered," I started to think.

What did I actually do wrong?

The only mistake I made was thinking I was irreplaceable.

Without me there, Caleb wasn't mourning. He was busy letting a stranger wear his jacket.

After I sent the breakup text, he finally posted a Status:

“Nobody ever stays. Nobody ever chooses me.”

I gripped my phone, my heart skipping a beat. Usually, I’d be calling him, crying, begging him to see that I was choosing him.

But this time, I stayed silent.