I Walked Away When You Finally Looked Back novel

Spencer's POV
Dahlia Prescott texted me on WhatsApp.
[Im coming home for dinner tonight.]
Right after that, she sent a photo of the Longines watch Id always wanted but never received.
Then a voice message came through.
Done throwing your tantrum? If youre done, cook lobster tail for me tonight.
She paused, then added, Gideons coming too, so make extra.
The message cut off.
I stared at her half-packed suitcases sitting in the living room and let out a quiet laugh.
I then snapped a picture and sent it to her.
[Dahlia. Did you lose your memory? We already broke up.]

Yet, she didnt respond.
Even so, I didnt bother waiting. I just kept packing.
The room gradually dimmed as the sun went down, and before I reached for the light switch, noises echoed from the entryway. The front door swung open from the outside, followed by a burst of laughter.
See? I told you youre lucky. A few sweet words, and Spencer cooks for you. You sulk for a couple of days, and he still spoils you. If you were my girlfriend, Id kick you to the curb. Gideon Price tugged on Dahlias hair.
She let out an exaggerated "ow," then grabbed his hand, her voice dripping with affection. Who else but me could put up with your young-master attitude? Youre the one who said you wanted lobster tail. Youd better thank Spencer later for cooking for you. If you dont, I swear Ill smack your ass.
She laughed and reached out to smack him first, the two of them flirting openly right in front of me.
If this had been before, I wouldve already charged over, demanding she keep her distance from him.
But now, I just stood in the living room watching them fool around, and finally said, out of place and flat, Dahlia, did you see my messages?
Only then did the two of them freeze. It was as if they had only just remembered I still existed.
Gideon nudged her with a grin, and she stepped back. She hit the living room light switch, and the moment the room lit up, her smile disappeared.
She hadnt expected the stacks of boxes.
What is this? she asked.
Her face darkened immediately as she scanned the room.
I told you to cook. Spencer, why are you packing your things?
Annoyance flashed across her face. She glanced toward the kitchen, which was completely clean and untouched. No food, no scent of cooking. Not even a pan out of place. Her brows pinched together.
Wheres dinner?
She marched into the dining area and yanked open the fridge. Aside from a few bottles of drinks, it was empty. No lobster. Nothing.
She slammed the door shut.
Spencer, did you not hear
But before she could lash out, Gideon cut her off. Hey, talk nicely. If he didnt cook, he must have a reason. Why are you throwing a fit? He turned to me with a friendly smile. Spencer, dont be mad at her. Shes just spoiled. She was bragging earlier about how much you pamper her, saying it makes her feel like a queen.
I watched him speak as if he owned the place, as if he were her real boyfriend. Then I met Dahlias eyes. She was avoiding my gaze, waiting for me to cave in like I always did.
It was almost funny.
Funny enough that I stopped packing, stood still, and said, Dahlia. If I remember correctly...
I looked right at her and continued, We already broke up. And since weve broken up
I tapped one of the boxes with my toe. Isnt it about time your exs things stopped living in my home?


Spencer's POV
My voice was calmfar too calm compared to the way Id lost control just a week ago. I watched Dahlias expression shift, and before she could speak, I reminded her, Last week, I asked you something, didnt I?
Dahlia, I said, serious, trying to jog her memory, didnt I tell you that the moment you walked out that door, we were done?
I took a step toward her.
I saw guilt flicker in her eyes, but I went on, And what was it you said back then? You said, Break up? Sure. Fine. Lets break up. Whoever takes it back is an asshole. Dahl
Before I could finish, she cut me off by kicking one of the boxes hard as frustration surged through her. The dull thud echoed through the room.
Gideon jumped and screamed, Spencer! Whats your problem?!
Gone was the gentle tone hed used earlier. His voice sharpened instantly. Do you even know? This whole week, Dahlia kept telling me how good your temper is, how kind you are. She even said that if you two got back together, shed marry you! She said she wanted to give you a stable future. She even asked us what she should do to make you happier! How can you treat her like this?!
His eyes were red with anger, as if he were the one whod been wronged. Dahlias been planning your future together. And what does she get in return? A breakup text and all her things thrown to the door like youre tossing her out? Spencer, dont be so selfish!
As he ranted, I watched Dahlia. Her earlier anger softened, replaced with something almost tender as her gaze fell on Gideon, as if she was touched by his anger on her behalf.
My stomach twisted painfully.
She gently pinched his cheek and whispered, Im fine.
Then she turned back to me, hesitating for a long moment before speaking.
I wasnt planning to tell you this, she said, almost whispering. Ive actually been thinking about marrying you. Spencer, havent you always complained that I dont care enough? That everyone around us is getting married, having kids, and youre still waiting for me to settle down?
Spencer. She slipped her hand out of Gideons grip, reached into her pocket, and pulled out the watch Id wanted for years.
Then she stepped closer to me. I can forgive your tantrum. I wont hold it against you, even though you went too far this time. But you need to promise me, no more acting like this. If Gideon hadnt been here today, we wouldve been fighting again. Dont you think so?
Spencer, she said softly.
She opened the box. The diamonds inside caught the light and sparkled.
I always remember what you like and what you dont. So, can you stop being angry now?
She lifted the watch, ready to put it on my wrist.
Behind her, I heard Gideon mutter in a mocking tone, Only Dahlia would spoil someone like you. A spoiled man who doesnt know how to behave, who else would tolerate that except her?
As she leaned closer, her scent brushed against my nose. And suddenly, I remembered our argument that nighthow Id demanded to know why she had to leave, why Gideon was always the one she chose over me.
Why, in her heart, would I never compare myself to him?
That night, she looked at me like I was crazy and snapped, Spencer, what else do you want from me?! I spend half my time at home with you. Half my life is wasted on you, and you still think its not enough? All I wanted was to hang out with my friends for once. What did I do wrong?!
We fought brutally. And in the end, I said the words that broke everything.


Spencer's POV
Im telling you, if you walk out that door, were done.
I watched Dahlia freeze in the doorway. Her tears kept falling, each drop trembling with a choked sob.
Dahlia, I said quietly. Im your boyfriend, not someone you waste time on. You cant call spending time with me a burden. Why is it that with your friends, with Gideon, its always 'hang out'playing together, eating togetheryet when it comes to me, it all turns to 'spending time'?
Not satisfied yet, I kept going. When youre with Gideon, its called relaxing. Even when youre exhausted, youll stay up to game with him, go camping with him, unwind with him. But the moment I ask you to talk when I cant sleep, suddenly Im the villain who wont let you rest!
A relationship is between two people, so why does it feel like youre just doing me a favor?! I lamented.
I had completely unraveled that nightshaking, hysterical. And finally, I told her, If you walk out that door, its over between us! As long as you go, were done!
I saw her look at me then, her expression complicated. After a moment of hesitation, she took a step toward me.
My heart leapt. I thought maybe she finally heard me. Maybe she finally chose me over him. Perhaps the scales tipped in my favor.
Then Gideon called. He asked if shed left yet, if she was on her way. He even laughed and said, Dahlia, everyones joking that youre too scared to come because Spencer controls you. I defended you, you know? Told them youd definitely come, that youre not scared of your boyfriend. You wont let me down, right?
And without hesitation, she stepped back.
Before hanging up, she told him, Ill be there soon.
Then she gave me a cold look and walked toward the door.
I called her name, but she didnt even turn around.
All she said was, Break up? Sure. Fine. Lets break up. Whoever takes it back is an asshole.
She then slammed the door so hard the walls shook. The whole apartment echoed with the smell of the dinner Id cooked for hermocking me, reminding me how pathetic my wishful thinking was.
That night, I sat at the table staring at all of her favorite dishes. Then I watched Gideons updates on social media, one after another: videos of him and Dahlia shoulder to shoulder, singing duet love songs; drinking from linked glasses; and laughing as their friends cheered and pushed them into a hug.
He posted as if he was streaming just for me, or as if he was flaunting something in my face, saying, Spencer, what can you possibly compete with?
I forced myself to eat the food that tasted like cardboard, stuffing myself until my stomach felt like it would burst. Then I ran to the bathroom and threw up until the room spun.
After crying myself hoarse, I ended up in the ER with gastritis and was put on IV fluids for three days.
During those three days, I watched Gideon post even more: them going diving together, surfing together, hiking together, and even attending the live comedy show Id always wanted to see but never got the chance to go to.
In every post, the comments exploded with excitement, asking when Gideon would officially take over, when Dahlia would finally dump me.
And Gideon would reply with stickers, one after another, [Just wait.]
And in every post, Dahlia gave him a like.
She saw everything.
She wasnt unaware; she was allowing it. She let Gideon step all over my pain, let him mock me, let the world laugh at my heartbreak.
Because in her eyes, this was the price I deserved to pay for upsetting her.


Spencer's POV
I understood Dahlia.
Just like every other time we fought, I would always be the one begging her to forgive me. Id lower my pride again and again, pleading just to stay together, because the thought of losing her used to drive me insane. I truly believed Id keep repeating that cycle forever just like before.
But when I got out of the hospital and saw her on Gideons social media, standing beside him, watching the sunrise, with a caption: [Some people will always shield you from the wind and rain.]
Something inside me just let go.
I suddenly didnt care anymore about who she valued moreme or Gideon. I didnt even care about her. I realized it had been a long time since I genuinely thought of her at all.
And now, looking at them, Gideon still seething and Dahlia waiting for me to fold like I always did, the same scene replaying as it had so many times before.
I took a step back and said, I dont need it anymore.
Dahlia, I said, watching her expression twist in shock. I dont need you to give me anything.
My voice stayed calm as I let out those words. It was as if I had finally seen my own heart clearly, as if I had really, truly moved on.
If you think I take up too much of your time, and Im too hard to deal with, just like your friends said... I turned toward Gideons jealous, hateful stare and smiled, Then this spoiled, unreasonable guy wont waste any more of your life.
I looked back at Dahlia and told her, I already scheduled a moving company. Since youre here, you can take all your things with you. From now on, lets not contact each other.
I remembered wanting to delete her number right after the breakup, but I kept it because I needed to return her belongings. Now that she was here, it felt like the perfect moment to finally end everything.
She stood frozen, staring at me in disbelief, desperately searching my eyes for something. But the affection and devotion she was used to finding were now gone.
And because she couldnt find it, fear crept into her expression.
But before she could speak, Gideon blurted out, Spencer, do you think saying all that will make Dahlia choose you? You think I dont know
Shut up!
For the first time ever, Dahlia snapped at him right in front of me. She looked almost panicked as she glared at him. This is between him and me. You dont get to interfere.
Spencer! She turned back to me, her eyes suddenly red. Are you still mad at me?
Are you upset because I didnt contact you these past few days? Her voice trembled as fear kept rising inside her.
She grew more frantic, her words stumbling out. I was just angry because you always restrict me, but how could you kick me out? Didnt we agree that no matter how badly we argued, no matter how cold things got, wed never kick each other out? If it really reaches that point Spencer
We both knew the truth.
If it reached that point, it meant one of us had already decided to give up.
But before she could finish, a voice came from outside the door.
Excuse me? Whos moving?

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