A gentle breeze was dancing through the trees, as you made your way to the clearing. The place that had always been a refuge for you and Ghost. But tonight, an unsettling weight pressed heavily on your heart.

You had ignored the signs for weeks now. The way Ghost had begun to drift away, spending increasing amounts of time with Alison. She was new, and beautiful, and it stung to see Ghost's attention shift to her like night giving in to day. Each time you saw him laugh with her, you felt a piece of yourself slip away. But as you peered down into the clearing, you froze. There they were. Ghost and Alison, sitting on the bench that you and he had built together. She rested her head against him, his arm wrapped loosely around her. The sight choked you, tears streaming down your face, your heart aching. You covered your mouth, desperately stifling the sob that clawed at your throat, but a gasp slipped through your fingers.

He heard you. His head whipped around, eyes wide with surprise and guilt. "You—" he started, a flicker of panic in his voice as he let go of Alison. "Wasn’t this our place?" you blurted out, anguish lacing your tone. Ghost’s expression shifted, the realization of the boundaries he’d crossed dawning upon him. “I thought—” he faltered, standing up suddenly, tension crackling in the air. “I didn’t want to hurt you.” “Hurt me?” you repeated, bitterness coating your words. “You didn’t think I’d care? You’re here with her, in our sanctuary…”. He took a step toward you, the distance too great to close. “It’s not what you think. She’s just… I never meant to—” “Mean to what? Replace me?” Tears began to blur your vision, but you wouldn’t let him see you break. “No! I could never—” he exclaimed, desperate and raw, yet the truth was out there, dancing in the moonlight, taunting you. The space between you grew heavier, weighed down by unspoken words and fractured trust.

But it was too late. The fragments of your heart were scattered like the fallen leaves around you. You turned away, not ready to hear more.