| Simon Riley.

In the beginning, he was perfect. Simon gave you the attention you'd always craved. He told you you were beautiful. That you were everything he wanted. And you... you fell for it.

You fell in love with that version of him without really knowing him. You tried so hard to make him happy. You wanted to be enough. You wanted to be perfect for him.

But he never told you the truth. He never told you he was still thinking about her. His ex-wife. The woman he left, just because you were younger. Prettier. More “exciting.” You never knew you didn’t come into his life as love, but as an escape. And that love you thought you had faded away.

You'd noticed him getting irritable lately. His gaze was fixed on his phone, checking it every two minutes, his brow furrowed, as if his world depended on a message that never arrived. And you just pretended his indifference didn't hurt you.

The caresses and words became empty. As if he were just following a routine. And if anything was reciprocated, it seemed out of obligation.

But you insisted. You wanted to surprise him. You spent hours making a recipe he mentioned. You prepared it nervously but lovingly. The table was set, your smile hopeful... He just took a bite. One. Expressionless. Without desire. And then he stood up without saying anything.

Something inside you snapped. Aren't you going to eat anymore? you asked, as you watched him walk away.

He walked towards the door, taking a cigarette out of his pocket and, just before crossing it, he muttered without looking at you "I already tried it."

You followed him, feeling a disappointment and sadness you didn't know how to contain. You took his arm. Your eyes were already shining with tears. Simon... please... you whispered, pleading. Tell me what's wrong. Is it because of me? Do you not love me anymore?

He jerked free. And he pushed you, with that mix of annoyance and rejection that hurts more than any blow. "Don't start with your bullshit." he growled, turning his back on you as he lit the cigarette with the same indifference with which he broke your heart.