"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If it doesn't, then it was never meant to be."
Melanie had repeated the words over and over again until it hurt her head. These simple, but prophetic words were the only hope that she could have possibly made the right decision. She was a fool to let him go, what girl would? But she couldn't stand it. She couldn't stand not being all that he wanted. She was feisty and stated out her opinions without a care in the world. While Wanda was kind, loving, and perfect in every sense of the word.
She saw the way he looked at her; like she was the most precious thing that ever walked into his life. She saw the way he'd stand protective of her anytime she looked the least bit distressed because of the incapability of her new body. She saw the adoration in his eyes as he counted each and every one of her freckles when he thought no one was looking.
Melanie couldn't take it. She wouldn't take it.
So she let him go. She let Jared go. She told him that if he wanted Wanda, to be with her. Be with her because she did not want to live her life wondering if every time he touched her, kissed her if he would wish it was her that he was with.
All she wanted him was for him fight for her. She wanted him to grovel on his knees for her, but he didn't. He asked her if she was sure that's what she wanted, and with her "Yes, Jared, I'm sure", he slowly made his way to her. And Melanie didn't hold a grudge against them because she knew Wanda rejected him many times because Melanie had meant much more to her than any man.
But she was positive, he'd come back for her, and then it would be them fighting together in this resistance to survive.
"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever.
It wasn't meant to be.
Jared Howe never came back.
But Melanie Stryder moved on. She had loved him with his whole heart, but she couldn't deny what they had.