The scent still lingered on the bedding.

I didn’t blame anyone, I didn’t try to figure out whose fault it all was. I simply let go. But before that, I made it clear: the door closed behind him. He has the right to leave, but he has no right to return. Because my soul is not a stopover. He has the right to love whoever he wants – but he does not have the right to break me.

I too can let go, but I don’t have to let back into my heart someone who once tore it apart. Because I have self-respect. I won’t go after him just because he disguised his lies with sweet words. I won’t reproach him for deceiving me. I don’t care who the other woman is, or how beautiful she may be. I won’t argue with him, and I won’t hold on to anger. I’ve learned to love myself as I am – with all my flaws and values alike.

The man I loved turned his back on me. He walked out of my life without a word, without an apology. Later, he came back – not because love brought him back, but because he couldn’t find real feelings anywhere else. He asked for forgiveness, and he asked me to give him another chance. I did. But not because I believed in him again, rather because I wanted to know what it feels like to be left by someone you love.

I didn’t pretend – I stayed loyal, I was attentive, and I made him believe the past was forgotten. Then, when he looked to the future with the greatest hope, when he finally felt he could be happy – that’s when I told him it was over.

I didn’t explain. I let him think maybe there was someone else in my heart. He bombarded me with questions, but got no answers. I treated him exactly the way he treated me. Then one last time, I went back to him. Just to say:

“I forgave you – but I didn’t forget. And I’m not as naive as you think. The day you were given a second chance, you went back to her. But I’m no longer the girl who’s easy to fool.”

You might be able to trick a kitten with a saucer of milk, but a lion doesn’t walk the path of a housecat. A lion fights. Fights for herself.

And you should fight too. Be proud – never let anyone treat you like a toy.