Chapter 3: The Night We Broke

The memory crashed back all at once.

That rainy night five years ago—the night everything fell apart.

The streetlights made the rain look like sheets of glass, each drop catching the neon city glow. I clutched my jacket, shivering, even though it was muggy.

Rain poured down, soaking me through. My shoes squelched, water running down my back. I was more rain than person.

After I said we should break up, I hurled the ring he’d given me onto the sidewalk. The tiny ping disappeared into the roar of rain and traffic. I wanted him to hurt like I did, but the look on his face nearly broke me.

Alex stood there, eyes red, voice raw and shaky: "Do we really have to break up? Can’t we work it out?"

He reached for me, hands trembling, the streetlight turning him older than his years.

Holding back tears, I nodded, my throat on fire.

"Maybe breaking up is best for both of us. Don’t come looking for me again."

My voice was barely there, but I forced it out. I wanted to be strong, or at least pretend I was.

I turned and left, not daring to look back. My steps were heavy, the world blurry. I walked faster, my own breathing louder than the rain.

Once I turned away, my tears finally fell. Every sob felt like I was breaking my own promise.