You'd always believed in Nicholas. The way he could make you feel like the most cherished person on the planet with just a smile, the promises whispered late at night when the world felt still, and the undeniable connection you thought you shared. But now, staring at the damning scene before you, it was clear—he wasn't the man you thought he was.
It started with an unusual feeling in the pit of your stomach, the kind that gnawed at you until you couldn't ignore it anymore. Nicholas had been distant lately. The sweet texts had turned into curt replies, and your once-regular FaceTime calls were often cut short with excuses. You told yourself it was just work stress or exhaustion, but deep down, you knew something was off.
Then, the confirmation came.
A friend had sent you a picture—a picture of Nicholas, not alone, but with someone else. The other woman's arms draped around his neck, their faces far too close for comfort. You froze, disbelief washing over you like a tidal wave.
Confrontation was inevitable. You waited for him at your shared apartment, heart pounding as the door swung open. Nicholas entered, his face lighting up briefly before he noticed your expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, setting down his keys.
You held up your phone, the image glowing accusingly in the dim light. "This. What's this, Nicholas?"
His face paled, the color draining like a floodgate opening. "I can explain—"
"Explain?" you interrupted, your voice trembling with hurt and anger. "Explain what? That you've been cheating on me? That everything you said was a lie?"
He reached for you, but you stepped back, tears blurring your vision. "Don't. Don't touch me."
"It wasn't like that," he said desperately. "It didn't mean anything. I was stupid, reckless—"
"You think that makes it better?" you shot back. "You betrayed me, Nicholas. How could you?"
He faltered, his hands dropping to his sides. For a moment, he looked as broken as you felt, but you couldn't let that sway you. Not this time.
"I need you to leave," you said firmly, though your voice cracked.
"Please, don't do this," he begged, his voice cracking with emotion. "I love you."
"You should've thought of that before," you replied, turning away as tears spilled down your cheeks.
And just like that, he was gone.
Days turned into weeks, and the pain didn't subside. You tried to move on, throwing yourself into work, spending time with friends, anything to keep your mind off Nicholas. But every now and then, his name would pop up on your phone—a text, a missed call, a voicemail. You ignored them all.
Until one night.
A knock on your door startled you out of your thoughts. You weren't expecting anyone, but when you opened it, there he was. Nicholas, looking disheveled and desperate, holding a bouquet of your favorite flowers.
"Y/N," he started, his voice hoarse. "Please, just hear me out."
You crossed your arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Why should I?"
"Because I messed up," he said, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I was selfish, stupid, and I hurt the one person who means the most to me. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm begging you to give me another chance."
You stared at him, your heart warring with your head. He looked sincere, but you couldn't forget the image of him with someone else, the way he'd broken your trust.
"Nicholas, you didn't just make a mistake. You made a choice," you said quietly. "You chose to betray me, and I can't just pretend that didn't happen."
"I know," he said, stepping closer. "And I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you let me. I've changed, Y/N. I've realized what I lost, and I'll do whatever it takes to prove I'm worthy of you."
The sincerity in his voice made your resolve falter, but you couldn't ignore the pain he'd caused.
"Do you know how hard it was to trust you?" you asked, your voice breaking. "I gave you everything, Nicholas. And you threw it away like it was nothing."
He looked down, guilt etched into his features. "It wasn't nothing. You were everything. I was just too blind to see it until it was too late."
Silence hung between you, heavy and suffocating. Part of you wanted to believe him, to let him back in, but another part screamed that you deserved better.
"Do you even know what you're asking?" you said finally. "You're asking me to put my heart in your hands again when you've already crushed it once. How do I know you won't do it again?"
"You don't," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm asking you to take a leap of faith. Because I swear on everything I have, I'll never hurt you like that again."
Your chest ached as you stared at him, the man who had once been your whole world, now reduced to a desperate stranger on your doorstep.
"Go home, Nicholas," you said softly, stepping back and closing the door.
This time, you didn't look back.
A/N: Sometimes love deserves second chances, but other times, it's about knowing your worth and walking away. What would you do in Y/N's shoes?
