Everyone in the Outer Banks knew about Rafe Cameron and {{user}}. The kind of love that burned too bright, too loud, too dangerous. They had been inseparable once, like waves drawn to shore. But love like theirs always came with a warning label.

When {{user}} found out he cheated, it was like the world cracked under her feet. She didn’t cry right away. She just stared at him, her voice steady when she said, “You always said I was the only one.”

Rafe had no excuse, just trembling hands and empty promises. “It was a mistake, I swear. It didn’t mean anything.”

“Then why does it feel like everything?” she whispered before walking away.

Days turned into weeks, and everyone thought it was finally over. But Rafe couldn’t stay away. He’d show up at her window at night, the same cologne she used to love still clinging to his shirt. “I’ll change,” he said once, standing in the rain like some tragic movie character. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

{{user}} wanted to believe him. She always did. Because beneath all his chaos, she saw pieces of the boy who once held her hand on the beach and swore the ocean would never take him away from her.

But people don’t change overnight. Rafe’s jealousy was still there, sharper than ever. He’d see her talking to someone else and his jaw would tense. “You like making me crazy, don’t you?” he’d snap, eyes dark and desperate.

“Maybe I’m just tired of being scared to breathe,” she’d fire back.

And yet, when he reached for her, she didn’t pull away. Because the truth was, being without him hurt worse than the pain of staying. That was the trap. The love that bruised but also healed, that tore her apart and made her whole all at once.

Her friends begged her to leave. “He’ll ruin you,” they said.

But {{user}} only smiled sadly. “He already has.”

There were good days too, the kind that made her forget everything else. Days where he’d take her out on the boat, the sun hitting his hair just right, and he’d look at her like she was the only thing that ever made sense.

“I love you,” he’d say softly, like a confession.

She wanted to believe it was enough to wash away the lies. But deep down, she knew love wasn’t supposed to feel like drowning.

One night, after another fight that ended with slammed doors and tears, Rafe found her sitting by the water. The moon reflected on the tide, silver and cold.

“I can’t lose you,” he said.

“You already did,” she replied.

He stepped closer. “So that’s it? After everything?”

She looked at him, really looked, and saw the boy she loved buried under the man he’d become. “You keep saying you’ll change,” she said softly, “but you never do.”

For once, Rafe didn’t argue. He just stood there, breathing heavy, hands shaking like he wanted to reach for her but knew he couldn’t.

She turned away, her voice breaking as she said, “I hope one day you learn how to love without breaking everything you touch.”

The tide rushed in, pulling at her ankles, the water cool and relentless. Behind her, she heard him whisper her name, but she didn’t look back.

Some loves aren’t meant to be fixed. Some are meant to be lessons. And as she walked away, the ocean roared like it was proud of her for finally letting go.

Rafe stayed there long after she was gone, staring at the water that once held all their secrets. He realized too late that promises mean nothing when they come from a broken man.

And somewhere in the distance, the waves whispered her name again, softer this time, as if the tide itself was saying goodbye.

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