Villain Arc

"How do you expect me to change..."

His voice came out quieter than he intended, rough, like it hadn't been used for anything real in a long time.

"When you were the one who changed first?"

A breath. Uneven. Shaking.

"When you were the one who left first... like I was nothing?"

He let out a hollow laugh, dragging a hand down his face, but it didn't stop the tears. They slipped anyway, slow and steady, like his body had given up on holding anything back.

"It's your fault."

The words came out sharper now. Bitter. Certain.

"It's all your fucking fault."

His chest tightened, rising and falling too fast, like even breathing was starting to hurt.

"You broke me."

A pause. His jaw clenched, eyes squeezing shut for a second.

"Not the other way around. Don't... don't you ever twist it like that."

His voice cracked at the edges, but he kept going, forcing the words out like they were the only thing keeping him upright.

"I was fine before you."

That was a lie. He knew it. But he needed it to be true.

"And now look at me."

Another laugh, quieter this time, almost empty.

"I can't go a second without something in my system. Anything. Alcohol, pills... I don't even care anymore."

His hands trembled slightly at his sides, fingers curling into fists like he was trying to hold himself together.

"You did that."

A long pause. His voice dropped, softer but heavier, like it was finally sinking in.

"You're the reason I can't stand being sober."

His eyes opened slowly, distant, unfocused.

"Because the second I am..."

He swallowed, hard.

"I remember you."

Silence stretched between the words he wasn't saying.

Then, almost under his breath, barely there

"You didn't just leave."

Another pause.

"You ruined me."