𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘, ᵁᴺᴰᴱᴿᴳᴿᴼᵁᴺᴰ ᴿᴬᴾᴾᴱᴿˢ & ᴿᴬᴾᴾᴱᴿˢ

CHEATER, 029

IN WHICH... SHE FINALLY HAD ENOUGH OF HIM CHEATING.

ELIJAH WAS ON TOUR AGAIN, SOMETHING HE'D BEEN DOING MORE AND MORE LATELY.

The first time she caught him was months ago. She was supposed to surprise him, showing up at one of his gigs in Philly. Instead, she found him backstage, lips locked with some groupie. He swore it was nothing, just a moment of weakness. But the excuses piled up like trash on the sidewalk, and she kept finding evidence: texts, photos, rumors from mutual friends. Always the same girl, always the same bullshit.

Tonight was the last straw. She had seen it all over social media. Pics of Elijah cozying up to the same girl at a club, his arm draped around her like she was the one he came home to every night. The same girl Y/N had confronted him about countless times. The same bitch he swore meant nothing to him.

"For fuck's sake, Elijah," she muttered under her breath, shoving her phone back in her pocket.

She knew it was time. Time to end this toxic cycle of lies and heartbreak. But it wasn't gonna be easy. She loved him, even after everything. But love wasn't supposed to hurt like this. Love wasn't supposed to make you feel second-best.

Y/N took a deep breath and started walking. She knew where he'd be tonight. Some small club, performing his set and basking in the adoration of fans. She hailed a cab, her mind racing with a mix of anger and determination.

The club was packed, the bass thumping so hard she could feel it in her chest. She pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes scanning the room for that familiar face. There he was, on stage, pouring his heart into a song that felt like a lie. She watched, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

As the set ended, Elijah hopped off the stage, greeted by a swarm of fans. She saw her, the girl, standing off to the side, watching him with those adoring eyes. Y/N's blood boiled. She marched over, shoving her way past the crowd until she was face-to-face with him.

"Elijah," she called out, her voice cutting through the noise.

He turned, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Y/N, what are you doing here?"

"I think you know exactly why I'm here," she said, her voice steady despite the anger bubbling up. "We need to talk."

He glanced around, clearly uncomfortable. "Can we do this later?"

"No," she snapped. "We do this now."

They moved to a quieter corner of the club, away from prying eyes and ears. Y/N crossed her arms, glaring at him. "How many times, Elijah? How many times have you lied to me?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Y/N, I can explain—"

"Don't," she cut him off. "I've heard all your explanations. I've heard all your excuses. And I'm done. I'm fucking done."

"Please, just listen," he pleaded. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it, huh?" she demanded. "What the fuck did you see in her that you didn't see in me?"

Elijah looked down, unable to meet her eyes. "It's not like that. I love you, Y/N. I really do."

"Love?" she scoffed. "You don't love me. You love the idea of me. You love having someone waiting for you at home while you go out and do whatever the fuck you want."

"That's not true," he insisted, reaching out for her hand.

She pulled away, shaking her head. "I deserve better, Elijah. I deserve someone who sees me, who values me. Not someone who treats me like an option."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She wasn't gonna let him see her break down. Not again. "It's over, Elijah. We're over."

He stared at her, his expression a mix of shock and regret. "Y/N, please don't do this."

"I already have," she said, her voice firm. "Goodbye, Elijah."

She turned and walked away, each step feeling like a weight lifting off her shoulders. It hurt, more than she thought it would. But it also felt right. She deserved better, and she was finally choosing herself.

As she stepped out into the cool night air, Y/N took a deep breath, feeling a sense of freedom she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew it wasn't gonna be easy, but she was ready to start healing, to start living for herself.