That version of you is dead

Before your lies and betrayal, you were him—my person. Playful, smart, driven, and kind. The one who convinced me to give love another chance. The one who made me see a future full of hope because it was going to be with you. The one who made me believe in growing together. That was our motto, remember? To flourish individually and as a pair within the relationship.

And we did. You were just steps away from landing your dream job, and I was so close to earning my post-grad degree. We held each other’s hands through victories and trials. We were planning to get married, enjoy quiet mornings, demolish escape room records, travel to places we had only known through books, and watch our future children soar higher than we ever did. But apparently, our dreams and goals weren’t enough for you. Our love wasn’t enough for you.

The warmth of your love faded so gradually that I stayed in denial for far too long. But I want you to know—I felt it. I felt it so deeply that my heart painfully clenches at the memory. Your coldness made it clear that loving me had become a chore. But I weathered it all, hoping that this was just a rough patch we needed to overcome.

And then, you ended us. You used a lie so convenient that my heart couldn’t help but let you go while still rooting for you.

In a matter of weeks, your betrayal unraveled and revealed that the version of you I loved was long gone. The creature that replaced him is one who cheats and deceives without hesitation, a monster who lies effortlessly to those who love him most.

I mourn for us, for all the memories lost and dreams shattered.

I mourn for you, for the death of the man you once were, who showed me how bright and kind love could be.

I mourn for me, for believing in the illusion you peddled.

But I will not mourn for long. The monster you’ve become may have destroyed the love we once shared, but it also awakened a strength in me that I never knew I had.

I will not stay down. I will claw my way up to healing if I need to, because if there is something worth fighting for, it is my own peace and the future I deserve.