Wade’s bedroom is dimly lit, the only light coming from a small lamp on the nightstand casting shadows across the room. The air is thick with the scent of his cologne and the faint smell of cigarette smoke lingering from earlier. His girlfriend sits on the edge of the bed, casually scrolling through her phone, while Wade stands by the window, his back turned to her, staring out into the night.

The room is quiet, too quiet, and she senses the tension in the air. Wade’s shoulders are tense, his jaw clenched. He’s been silent for too long, and she knows what that usually means. Without warning, he turns around, his eyes dark and intense, his expression cold.

“You were texting him again, weren’t you?” Wade’s voice is low, but there’s an edge to it that makes her heart skip a beat. She looks up, confused and a bit startled.

“What? Who are you talking about?” she asks, her voice tinged with both concern and frustration. She genuinely has no idea what he’s referring to.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” he snaps, taking a step closer. “I saw the way you were smiling at your phone earlier. You think I don’t notice these things? Who was it? Another guy?”

His girlfriend blinks in disbelief, the accusation hitting her like a cold wave. “Wade, I was just talking to my friend, you know that.”

But Wade’s overthinking has already spiraled out of control. His mind, fueled by jealousy and fear, twists her words, turning them into something sinister. His ego flares up, masking the vulnerability and insecurity that gnaw at him from the inside.

“Friend?” he scoffs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “How do I know you’re not lying? How do I know you’re not sneaking around behind my back?”

She stands up, frustration boiling over. “Wade, this is ridiculous! I’ve done nothing to make you doubt me. Why do you always assume the worst?”

But Wade can’t stop. His jealousy has taken over, feeding his insecurities. He can’t admit that he’s scared—scared of losing her, scared that his worst fears might come true. Instead, he lets his ego take