Page 29 of Marking Mia

Hey Mia, do you want to grab dinner at Charlie's on Jefferson? Jace will be there, and I think my friend Kane is also coming.

Mia

Idk Finn. I've been kind of busy lately.

She’s scared, and it makes sense. She doesn't know us well, and she has little reason to trust men.

We're new in town and looking to make some friends. You were so welcoming to us just figured I’d ask.

I watch as the three little dots bounce on the screen, indicating that she’s texting back. They stop and start several times before a response flashes on my screen.

Mia

Ofc, I'll be there. What time?

I text her the time and grin down at my phone.

Mia is ours, and once Kane sees her for himself, he’ll stop dragging his feet and make a move. She will finally be our omega, and we will mark her.

Mia

“Hey Justin, I need to talk to you,” I say, sitting next to him on the couch after my shift at work.

“What?” he replies with a sigh, not taking off his headphones as if I were a waste of his time.

“I think we need a break,” I say, twirling my fingers in my lap. That gets his attention.

“Say that again,” he says, removing his headphones and turning to me.

“A break,” I repeat, my heart racing. Justin’s face turns red, and his jaw tenses. I haven’t even found a place yet. Is he going to kick me out right away? But he wouldn’t. I pay the rent.

“Why would you want a break?”

I stare at him incredulously. “You beat and yell at me. You’re not good for me at all, Justin. I’m getting tired of it.”

He stands up from the couch, his face turning even redder.

“You’re the problem, Mia,” he says, as usual, turning the issue around to me. “You constantly nag me about a job, and you know I’m trying to find one. You won’t stop gaining weight and have stopped taking care of yourself.”

I bite my lip as I listen to him rage on about me.

“Stop it, Justin. I get how you feel about me,” I say quietly. “I don’t need to hear all this. But is it okay if I live here until I find a place?”

“Fuck,” he says, running his hands through his hair in irritation. He hisses out a quiet ‘yes’ and then walks out the front door, slamming it shut violently behind him.

“Oh my god,” I whisper as my hands shake. I expected the breakup to go like this, but it was a little better than I thought.

At least he didn’t hit me.

Getting up, I walk to the bedroom and sit on the bed, feeling numb. Tears don’t come. I’ve already exhausted all my tears in this relationship. A flicker of hope blooms in my chest as I search for places to live on my phone.

An hour later, I stare listlessly at the contents of my closet, trying to find something flattering. Should I be so focused on looking good tonight? Probably not. I feel weird and empty inside.

It would be easier if any of my clothes were flattering. Ever since Justin started complaining about my weight, I’ve stuck to loose, frumpy clothes, trying to cover up the flaws he sees in me.

Right now, it’s no different. Justin’s disparaging comments swirl through my head. His words weren’t always so cruel, but these days, it’s like all he ever wants to do is tear me down. He hasn’t come home yet, and I’m starting to wonder where in the hell he went.

Shaking my head, I try to refocus on the upcoming dinner.

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