Caleb was your boyfriend — the one person who made you laugh even on your worst days, the one who knew how you liked your coffee, the one who could read your silence like a sentence. You weren’t perfect, but with him, you felt safe.

That afternoon, you were curled up on his living room couch, buried in a book, lost in its pages.

He snuck up beside you and poked your cheek. You flinched. “Caleb,” you said flatly.

He laughed and poked your belly next. “You’re always so serious when you read,” he teased, flashing that boyish grin.

You rolled your eyes, pinched his cheek, and mumbled, “You’re so annoying.”

His laugh filled the room — easy, warm, familiar.

Then the doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting someone?” you asked, glancing up.

“Nope,” he replied, standing. “Who could that be?”

He reached out, grabbed your hand, and gently pulled you to stand with him — like always. Like you belonged there.

But when he opened the door, the air changed.

A beautiful woman stood there, confidently smiling at him like she already knew she’d make an impression. “Hey,” she said, eyes locked on Caleb, “I’m your new neighbor. Thought I’d drop by to say hello.”

Caleb stared for a beat too long. “Oh—uh—sorry for staring,” he said with a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hi.”

You leaned slightly, peeking from behind his shoulder.

The woman noticed you then. “And who’s she?” she asked, her tone curious — but her eyes sharp.

Caleb hesitated.

Then he smiled casually. “She’s… a friend. Childhood friend.”

It felt like the world stopped.

A friend?

Your chest tightened. Your lips parted, but no words came out. The way he said it — like it was nothing. Like you were nothing.

The woman turned to you. “I’m Lyra,” she said, offering a hand.

You just smiled faintly and stepped back.

From behind, you heard her say something flirtatious to Caleb, and then his laughter again — bright, open, like he’d already forgotten you were standing there.

Without a word, you turned, walked back into the living room, and grabbed your backpack with shaky hands.

You couldn’t explain it.

But right now, all you knew was that you needed to leave before the tears fell.

Before he could see just how much his words had broken you.