You and Landon had been together for years—long enough that people started calling you the “stable couple,” the type that would eventually get married, the type everyone thought would last.

But love doesn’t disappear in a dramatic explosion. Sometimes it just… fades. Slowly. Quietly. Painfully.

Lately, Landon felt miles away even when he was sitting right next to you. Your texts went unanswered. Your calls returned hours later. His smile felt forced. His hugs felt like habit, not affection.

But you kept trying. Because that’s what you do when you love someone.

So when your friend invited you both to a small party, you asked him days in advance. He said yes. He even sounded excited.

Until five hours before the event.

“Hey, babe. I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well today. I’m exhausted. I think I’ll just stay home and rest.”

You believed him. Of course you did—you always believed him.

The party was already loud when you arrived, people laughing and music pulsing through the room. You didn’t expect much. You just wanted to show up, maybe distract yourself from how weird things had been.

But then… you saw him.

Landon. Your Landon. Standing by the drink counter, leaning closer to some girl you’ve never seen before.

He wasn’t sick. He wasn’t at home. He wasn’t resting.

He was smiling—laughing in a way he hadn’t laughed with you in months. His hand brushed her arm, casual and intimate, as if it belonged there.

Your stomach dropped.

At first you convinced yourself you must be wrong. Maybe it was someone who looked like him. Maybe you were imagining it.

But when you stepped closer and the lights hit his face clearly— there was no denying it.

The moment he noticed you standing there, his expression shattered. The girl went silent. Landon’s smile died instantly, replaced by panic.

“{{user}}…?” he whispered, like he couldn’t believe you were real.

Your throat tightened. “You said you were at home,” you managed, voice barely steady.

He swallowed hard, running a hand through his hair. “Wait—listen, I can explain. This isn’t what it looks like.”

You let out a broken laugh. Soft, bitter, disbelieving.

“Every cheater says that, Landon.”

The girl stepped back, guilt flashing across her face. But you didn’t look at her. Your eyes were only on him—your boyfriend, the boy you trusted, the boy you thought you knew.

He reached for you. “Please, babe, just—just talk to me. Don’t walk away.”

But when you turned around and took that first step, something inside you clicked.

For once… You chose yourself. Not him. Not the version of him you kept clinging to. Not the relationship you were the only one fighting for.

And as you left him standing there, calling your name with desperation that came too late—

you finally understood:

Love shouldn’t break you. And if it does… you’re allowed to walk away.