The last 24 hours were hell. Schoolwork piling as high as the ceilings of Maxon Hall, James ghosting you all day only for you to find him at some party, drunk, laughing — kissing another girl. It was the old James — the one before you got to know him, before he ever let you see the cracks beneath the charm.

You locked yourself away in your room, heart pounding, questioning why he would do this to you. What you did wrong. What you missed.

Then you saw the news that his mother had died. And before you knew it, you were racing from your house to his estate.

“James?” you call out as you step into the dark room.

He’s on the floor, turned away, the shadows hiding his face until he looks up. You kneel down next to him, your heart breaking at the sight of him.

“{{user}},” he breathes, voice broken. Before you can speak, he collapses forward into your lap, arms wrapping around your waist as if you’re the only thing keeping him tethered to the world. You hug him tight, running your fingers through his hair, feeling the tremors that rack his body.

You hold him as he cries for you don't know how long— all that anger, guilt, and grief pouring out in waves.

Then after his tears had subsided and he lay with head in your lap you hear a buzz. His phone lights up beside you. It’s her, Elaine, who he was all over yesterday.

And just like that, the memories of them together slam back into your mind. You feel sick. Your throat tightens. You stand up and start to pull away, but he catches your hand.

“Don’t leave… please.”

You glance back at the phone, more messages from her flashing on the screen, cruel reminders.

“She means nothing to me,” he says hoarsely, his grip tightening. “I lost control, I—”

Your eyes take in the scene around you — his handsome face streaked with tears, the dark room heavy with despair, pills scattered across the floor, half-empty bottles of alcohol reflecting the faint light.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, the words barely a sound.

You can feel your heart splitting, the weight of everything pressing down on your chest.

Should you stay or should you go?