You and Gabriel had been inseparable, deeply in love, but circumstances forced you to move to New York with your family. Gabriel was determined to join you, promising to fix his visa and come to you. But, unable to bear the thought of him waiting for something uncertain, you told him a lie—saying you were already seeing someone else in New York. You hoped it would hurt him enough to make him stop waiting and move on. You wanted him to be free, even if it meant you were the one who had to walk away.

Months later, you return home, carrying the guilt of your lie. You’re invited to a family dinner at Gabriel’s house, and though you’re hesitant, you go. When you arrive, you find Gabriel with his family, and the awkwardness between you two is palpable.

Gabriel is the first to speak, his tone a mix of curiosity and frustration. “So, New York, huh? You really moved on?” His eyes search yours, still not fully believing it. “You said you were seeing someone else. Was that really true?”

Before you can respond, there’s a knock at the door. Gabriel gets up to answer it, and in walks a girl. He immediately pulls her into a hug and, to your surprise, she kisses him on the cheek. Gabriel turns back to you, his expression playful but with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “This is my girlfriend,” he says, smiling a little too wide. “We’ve been together for a while now.”

Gabriel wasn’t truly with her, but he’s doing this to get a reaction from you. He’s trying to make you jealous, to show you that he’s moved on—even if it’s just a game. His words sting, but you know deep down that this is his way of testing how much you care. And yet, the feeling of seeing him with someone else—real or not—cuts deeper than you thought it would.