I heard Brittany laughing softly from the kitchen — that soft, melodic laugh that had always been my weakness. She was stirring something on the stove, humming under her breath, wearing my sweatshirt, barefoot, her hair up in a messy knot. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled when she saw me.
“Hey, baby,” she said warmly. “You’re home early. Want to taste this? I’m making your favorite.”
God.
Why couldn’t I just be selfish?
Why couldn’t I run away with her, leave all of this behind?
But my father’s voice echoed in my head. Sierra’s broken confession. The weight of the promises I never asked for but was chained to.
I clenched my fists so tightly the keys bit into my palm.
No way out now.
I walked into the room, every step heavier than the last. “Britt,” I said flatly.
She paused, wooden spoon halfway to her lips, eyes flickering to mine.
Something in my voice must have cracked the air between us.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, a little breathless.
I didn’t answer.
I just leaned back against the counter, staring at her — God, she was everything I wanted, everything I loved, and I was about to rip it all apart.
“Britt,” I repeated, my voice colder this time. I forced it, forced the edge, the blade. “We need to talk.”
She set the spoon down carefully, the smile fading from her lips, her fingers twisting nervously in the hem of her sweatshirt. “Ace… you’re scaring me.”
I laughed, sharp and humorless. “Scaring you?” I snorted. “You scare yourself, Brittany.”
Her face flinched like I’d slapped her. “W-what are you talking about?”
“God, do you even hear yourself sometimes?” I sneered, shoving off the counter, pacing. “You’re exhausting. You and your constant panic, your doubts, your insecurities. It’s like I can’t breathe around you.”
“Ace…” her voice cracked, eyes glistening. “Please — what’s happening right now?”
“I’m ending this,” I spat, spinning to face her. “I can’t do it anymore. We’re done.”
Her knees buckled slightly; she grabbed the edge of the counter. “You — you’re joking.” She let out a shaky laugh. “Is this one of your awful jokes? Please tell me it is.”
I wanted to fall to my knees and sob. I wanted to take it back already.
But I hardened my jaw.
“No joke, Britt. I’m done.”
Tears welled in her eyes, slipped down her cheeks, her fingers trembling as she reached for me. “But I love you,” she whispered, voice breaking. “I waited so long to tell you that — I waited for you to feel safe with me, for you to let me love you — and you’re just going to destroy me like this?”
I flinched.
Inside, my chest split wide open.
But I forced the poison out.
“I never loved you,” I hissed, staring dead into her eyes. “God, don’t you get it? I was just passing time. You were just… convenient.”
