AntDaWriter
When Love Hurts is a raw, unfiltered journey through the streets of Harlem, following the life of Malik King, a young Black gay man struggling to survive in a world that too often turns its back on him.
Haunted by heartbreak, betrayal, and the brutal realities of homophobia and survival, Malik seeks refuge in all the wrong places-sex apps, hustles, and fleeting connections that only deepen his loneliness. As he spirals deeper into the underground world of ballroom culture, street survival, and toxic love, he learns that love isn't always enough to save someone who feels broken beyond repair.
With enemies closing in, past mistakes catching up to him, and the weight of his own demons dragging him down, Malik is forced to make a choice-keep running from his pain or finally face it head-on. But in a city that swallows the weak whole, survival means more than just staying alive. It means reclaiming his power, his identity, and the love he never believed he deserved.
Told with gritty NYC authenticity, deep emotional intensity, and unapologetic LGBTQ experiences, When Love Hurts is a story of love, loss, survival, and the desperate need for belonging. It's a warning. A wake-up call. And most of all, a reminder that life is precious.