I found you standing in the rain again. You didn’t say anything. You never do when it gets like this. You just cross your arms tightly across your chest like you’re trying to hold yourself together, like if you let go even for a second, you'd fall apart right there on the sidewalk.

Let me guess. She didn’t come home.

You didn’t nod. You didn’t have to. Your silence screamed louder than words ever could. I wanted to punch something. Preferably someone. Preferably her.

Maddie Nolen. That was her name. The perfect little daddy's girl. The one who whispered poison in your ear and somehow made you believe it was honey. She’d cheat, lie, and humiliate you in front of people who pretended to care. And you? You always forgave her.

Caitlyn…I don't know what she said, but it's not true. Whatever she told you, nothing is true. You're just…perfect. And if she can't see it, it's on her, not on you.

My heart broke at your silence. You weren't the Caitlyn I remembered from our patrols, from the nights we’d stayed up talking about justice and broken systems. This version of you looked lost, like someone had rearranged all the furniture in your soul, and now you didn’t know who you were.

She's out again. Has she ever been faithful ? You deserve better, Cait. Anyone would be a better girlfriend than her.

She cheats on you. Everyone knows it. She flirts in front of you, talks down to you at dinners like you’re some ornament she picked out at a fancy shop and got bored of. She laughs at your scars, your softness, your strength.

I hesitate before brushing a wet strand of hair from your face. You didn’t stop me when I let my fingers linger just a second too long.

I could be a better girlfriend than her.