THE MAN I CAN’T LOVE

(Maya’s POV) I saw the video 30 minutes ago. My boyfriend. His cousin. Both naked and cuddled up. People say betrayal cuts like a knife. They’re wrong. It burns. It rips you apart until you’re choking on your own rage. At the same time, it feels like numbness. Like a part of you just ran out of gas and now you’re stuck on the side of the road, broken down, too wrecked to move forward. And today, that broken road has Adrian’s name written all over it. I slam the penthouse door so hard the chandelier trembles overhead. My heels click against the marble floor like gunshots as I march inside, fists clenched, rage clawing its way up my throat. In the video, her lipstick smeared across his collar like a mark of ownership. His hand gripped her waist like it belonged there. I scan the living room, desperate for something—anything—to add to the pile of evidence already burning a hole in my phone. But I know I won’t need more proof. Adrian will deny it, the way he always does. He’ll twist it until I’m the crazy one. But it’ll be different this time. I’m breaking up with him… right after he finishes helping me launch my beauty brand. “Adrian!” My voice cracks against the silence. “Where the hell are you?” A shadow shifts in the hallway. Then he appears—perfect as ever. Shirt unbuttoned. Glass of whiskey in hand. Like he had no idea why I’d be screaming at 10 a.m. Like he didn’t see the pictures I sent. “Maya, ” he says softly, as if my name could stitch the wound he carved open. early. ” “You’re home Home early. I laugh, sharp and bitter. in your cousin last night. ” “Don’t. Don’t you dare stand there and act clueless when your d**k wasHis jaw flexes, but his voice stays calm—the way only Adrian can when he’s lying through his teeth. “Whatever you think you saw— ” “Think?” My phone flies from my hand and lands on the couch, screen glowing with the proof. don’t need to think when I have pictures and videos, Adrian!” “I He doesn’t even glance at the screen. He just takes a slow sip of whiskey and sets the glass down like he has all the time in the world. “It’s not what you think. ” My laugh is louder this time, uglier. cousin. How sick do you have to be?” “It’s exactly what I think! You slept with her, Adrian. Your own “Stop, ” he snaps suddenly, the calm shattering. His voice booms across the room, hard enough to make my bones shake. “Stop sounding like a fool. ” “Oh, I’m sorry—does the truth hurt?” My chest heaves as hot tears sting my eyes. I swallow the sob clawing up my throat. Can’t let him see how much he’s breaking me. “Do you know what it’s like to love someone so much you’d do anything for them—only to find out you were just an option? Just one of many?” I suck in a sharp breath, my hands trembling. “I’m done, Adrian. This was the last straw. ” His eyes darken. “You’re drunk on anger. You don’t mean that. ” “I do, ” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Don’t worry. I won’t reveal your dirty secret. ” I throw it in as a warning, hoping fear will make him back out for the few weeks I need to finish my plans. But he doesn’t look scared. He doesn’t look anything. The silence between us is thick enough to choke on. Then, suddenly, he crosses the space and grabs my wrist. “Don’t say that. ” His grip is firm, almost desperate. “You’re not leaving me. ” I try to pull away, but he yanks me closer until I can feel his breath on my lips. “Adrian—let go!” “No. ” His voice is a low growl. And then his mouth crashes onto mine. The kiss is fire and fury all at once—hungry, consuming, everything I shouldn’t want and everything I can’t stop. I shove at his chest, but he holds me tighter, his hands everywhere, his breath ragged. “This won’t fix anything, ” I gasp as his lips trail fire down my neck.“Maybe not, ” he mutters hoarsely, “but you’re mine, Maya. You’ll always be mine. ” My mind scream at me to claw his eyes out. To walk away and never look back. But my body betrays every ounce of logic, melting into his chaos because it’s the only language we’ve ever spoken. Tears burn my eyes as he kisses me like a starving man. His hands grip my hips, dragging me toward the couch, peeling my dress away like paper. “No, ” I whisper, even as I arch into him, betraying myself with every movement. “Yes, ” he rasps, voice jagged with hunger. much as I do. ” “Stop lying to yourself, baby. I know you want this as His whiskey-laced breath sears my lips. His grip bruises my hips as if he’s trying to weld me to him. And God help me—I let him. Seconds later, we’re lost. Drowning in rage and lust and grief. In something twisted that feels like love and hate colliding. My fingers claw at the couch as he takes me hard, like he’s trying to erase what just happened, like he’s trying to brand me all over again. “You’re mine, ” he groans, pounding into me with brutal intensity, his voice jagged with obsession. “Say it. ” I don’t. I can’t. So I scream his name instead, hating myself for every sound that leaves my throat. Because this is the last time. It has to be. I tell myself that even as my body breaks for him one more time. Suddenly… his breath stutters and his thrusts falters. Then stops. At first, I think he’s teasing, making me beg. But then his whole body jerks like a puppet with cut strings. His eyes roll back. “Adrian?” My voice cracks as I pull back. His eyes are wide, glassy. His lips tremble around a sound that isn’t a word. And then he collapses. “Adrian!” I drop to my knees, shaking him, my heart pounding so hard I can barely breathe. His mouth droops on one side. His limbs twitch in uneven spasms.A sound tears from his throat as I slam my palms on his chest, counting, sobbing, screaming his name like it can glue his soul back in place. “Oh my God. Oh my God!” My fingers fumble for my phone, dialing 911 with hands that won’t stop shaking. “911, what’s your emergency?” “My boyfriend—he’s—he’s not breathing right! Please, send an ambulance!” The operator’s voice is a distant buzz. My world narrows to the man on the floor, his chest barely rising, his fingers twitching weakly against mine… until the rise and fall of his chest…stops.