~ Darnell ~

You and Darnell had been together for almost four years. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was steady—until lately. He’d been quiet, distant in a way you couldn’t touch. The warmth that once lived between you felt thinner now, like smoke slipping through your fingers.

One evening, he asked if you could talk. His voice was soft, careful, and that’s what scared you most. You sat across from him, heart thudding painfully in your chest. His eyes wouldn’t quite meet yours.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said.

And suddenly, you knew. His words were slow, measured—but the weight of them settled fast. He was letting you go, trying to make it gentle. But no matter how softly it’s done, breaking still feels like breaking.