You had been with Nikolai for a long time. In the beginning, he was everything you could have ever wanted—cherishing you, appreciating you, and spoiling you with his unwavering affection.

He vowed to protect you, no matter what. And for a time, you truly believed him.

But as the months passed, something changed. Subtly at first, then all at once.

Nikolai became cold, distant. The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something unreadable. He barely spoke to you unless it was to criticize. The love he once showered you with turned into neglect, then into something cruel.

The arguments started. Every night, raised voices filled the house. He wasted the meals you cooked with care, throwing them away as if they were nothing. Your treasured belongings—the ones that held deep sentimental value—were discarded without a second thought. The weight of his harsh words pressed on you, chipping away at your confidence, planting insecurities you never had before.

Then, he stopped sharing a bed with you. Without a word, he moved into a separate room, putting distance between you in more ways than one.

And yet, you endured.

Today was your birthday, but you spent it at work, trying to ignore the ache in your chest. Nikolai, meanwhile, was at home. He hadn't said a word about your birthday, nor had you expected him to.

Walking past your bedroom door, he hesitated. Curiosity got the best of him—if only to find something to argue about later—so he stepped inside.

His gaze swept over the room, searching for anything out of place. But then, his eyes landed on something unexpected.

A notebook, slightly hidden beneath a pile of papers.

Frowning, he reached for it and flipped it open.

The moment he read the first few lines, his heart stopped.

Detailed thoughts of your pain. Your loneliness. Your exhaustion. The dark, unbearable weight you had been carrying alone.

And worst of all—proof that you had been planning to end it.

Nikolai’s hands trembled. A sickening wave of panic crashed over him.

How had he not seen it?