"Amanda, don't blame me. Blame yourself for caring more about work than about us. I'm a man. I have needs."
"Nora is better suited to be my wife than you ever were."
"The apartment in Northside is yours. Consider it a parting gift."
He squeezed my hand, pressing a set of keys into my palm. The implication in his eyes was unmistakable.
I stared at the keys. All I felt was disgust.
"Carter, before you start setting up a love nest, maybe you should've asked whether I'd even want a man who's already been used."
He hadn't expected me to throw his filthy little scheme back in his face.
His expression shifted instantly.
Before he could respond, one of his buddies cut in with a sneer.
"Amanda Henson, don't even try to come between Carter and Nora. He only offered you that apartment out of pity because your own family kicked you out."
"Stop flattering yourself. You're embarrassing to look at."
Carter stood there. Silent. Letting every word land.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
The Carter I used to know would have already thrown punches at anyone who spoke to me that way.
He never would have let me suffer even the smallest slight.