The key clicked into the lock with a soft snick—the sound River had been looking forward to all day. After back-to-back photoshoots under blaring studio lights and a marathon interview session where he’d smiled until his cheeks ached, all he’d wanted was quiet, warmth, and the feel of {{user}}'s arms around him. He’d texted her hours ago that he’d be coming over after wrapping up, even though it was past midnight now.

Pushing the door open, he let his shoulders slump, his leather jacket already sliding off his arms. The apartment was dim, lit only by a single lamp on the coffee table where you sat on the couch, knees drawn to your chest. No excited rush to greet him. No soft laugh or light in your eyes. Just a tight, downturned mouth and eyes fixed on the wall across from you.

His heart sank, but he forced a gentle smile anyway, kicking off his shoes and setting his bag by the door.

“Hey… aren’t you going to give me a warm hug?” He stepped closer, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from your face—but you shifted away, turning your head so his fingers barely grazed your cheek.

You didn’t look at him. Didn’t say a word. Just sat there, rigid and distant. Something tight coiled in River’s chest—frustration mixing with exhaustion until his patience snapped like a dry twig.

“Stop acting like a child, {{user}}!” His voice was sharper than he’d intended, echoing off the quiet walls.

“This is not all about you. I have my own life too, my own priorities outside this relationship. Can’t you just stop acting like a child for once?”

The words tumbled out, raw and unfiltered, and before he could rein them in, the rest followed,

“Because if you don’t, maybe let’s just end this. I’m tired of this relationship… of you.”

He didn’t wait for a response. Didn’t look back as he grabbed his jacket, wrenched the door open, and slammed it shut behind him. The sound reverberated down the empty hallway as he stalked toward the elevator, his chest tight and his head spinning—part of him wanting to turn back, the other part relieved to be out of the heavy silence he’d walked into.