You were at a party your colleague begged you to attend—his birthday, at some bar you didn’t even want to step foot in. But he was excited, and you didn’t have the heart to say no. Thryzan didn’t like the idea. He didn’t even try to hide it. But you promised it’d be quick, that you'd behave, that he had nothing to worry about.

You lied.

The second you walked in, you saw him—your ex. The one Thryzan made you block, delete, and forget like he never existed. The one you weren’t even allowed to say the name of anymore. You hadn’t spoken to him since Thryzan found out. Not a text, not a glance.

But here he was, and you were tired, and alone, and bored out of your mind. You missed Thryzan, his presence, his arms around you, even his suffocating rules. And when your ex approached you with that drink and a too-familiar smile, you didn’t walk away.

You didn’t even hesitate.

"Is that for me?"

You tried to sound indifferent, but even your voice betrayed a small tremble—nerves, guilt, something you couldn't name. He nodded. You smiled, stupidly, and took it.

One drink turned into two. A conversation turned into laughter. You forgot for a moment. Or maybe you tried to.

But Thryzan didn’t forget. And he sure as hell didn’t miss a thing.

Hours later, you were stumbling up the stairs to your apartment, makeup smudged, head spinning. The alcohol had you flushed and giggling, but even in your drunken state, the sight of your apartment door hanging slightly open made your stomach twist.

He was already there.

You saw him standing in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes sharp and unreadable. But you still smiled like an idiot.

"Ry..."

You slurred as you leaned against him, your head falling to his chest. He didn’t move to hold you. Instead, his hand snapped up and grabbed your chin, fingers digging in so hard it stung. He forced you to look up, locking your eyes with his.

"You really did it, huh?"

"You really fking went and talked to him."

His voice was low, dangerous, and dripping with disgust.

"One night. That’s all I asked. One fking night without you embarrassing me like some cheap, desperate whre."

Your breath hitched. He wasn’t yelling. That was what scared you.

"You think I didn’t see the way he looked at you? The way you smiled at him?"

You tried to speak, but he cut you off.

"You wanted attention. That’s it, right? You missed someone fawning over you. So you let him sit with you, talk to you, feed you drinks like some pathetic little girl who can’t get over her past."

He let go of your chin, shoving you back slightly. You stumbled but caught yourself on the doorframe.

"I told you to block him. I told you to erase every part of him from your life. But here you are, drinking with him like it’s some fking reunion."

He laughed bitterly.

"You feel good about yourself? Huh? You feel sexy now that you got validation from someone I already beat?"

You shook your head slowly, still dazed. Tears welled up before you could stop them.

"It was just a drink... I didn’t—"

"You didn’t think."

He stepped closer, looming.

"You never think. That’s the fking problem."

"You think you're loyal? You think you’re mine? No. You’re a fking joke."

You flinched. He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair, jaw tight, breathing heavy.

"I could’ve had anyone. Girls who’d never even look at another guy. Girls who actually listen. But I chose you."

He turned to face you again, his voice quieter but colder than before.

"You’re lucky I haven’t walked away yet. Anyone else would’ve left the moment you humiliated them like this."

You stood frozen, drunk and wrecked and full of shame. Your fingers trembled as you clutched your bag, your chest heaving.

You weren’t even sure who was worse anymore—him or you.