THE BREAKING POINT
1219 Words
Charlotte's POV
The party was still raging—a large extravaganza of brains, innovation, and determination. A night they were meant to be honoring me. And yet, I couldn't shake off exhaustion creeping in, clawing at my bones like an unrelenting weight.
The room was full of great minds, women and men I had revered since I was a child. But the minute the award had been put into my hands, things had changed. I was now one of them.
And yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was still an outsider.
"Charlotte, darling!"
I turned around just in time to see my mother, Georgia Hayes, heading my way in a silk champagne-colored evening gown, her signature pearls hanging on her delicate neck. She moved with the kind of elegance that was learned from a lifetime of never having to lift a finger.
Standing beside her was my father, Matthew Hayes, wearing his perpetual expression of amusement. My father, unlike my mother, was more relaxed, his suit somewhat rumpled, his graying hair a bit unkempt. He was also a scientist, though not in my class.
"Why do you always look so tense?" my mother reprimanded, kissing me softly on the cheek before pulling back to study me. "Smile, darling. You just won a high-profile award. Cameras are clicking!"
I tried to smile weakly, but it didn't come naturally. Forced. Fake.
"You look like a deer in headlights," my father chuckled, poking me lightly.
I sighed, wobbling awkwardly in my heels. "That's because I feel like one."
"Well, don't look like you're being held hostage, then." My mother gave a pointed look before slapping a cheerful smile on her face and waving at a senator who was passing by.
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my feet aching.
Where was Bryon?
I had hoped he would have been here by now. He knew how much this meant.
I scanned the room, trying to locate him, my heart falling a little more with each failed attempt.
"Ugh, you look awful."
I turned around just as Bailey appeared next to me, a smirk on her face.
"Of course I do," I muttered. "I hate parties."
Bailey rolled her eyes before leaning over and bussing my cheek with a kiss.
"Congrats again, genius. I have to go, but we'll talk later," she said, squeezing my hand briefly.
I nodded, watching her disappear into the crowd.
"Charlotte, why don't you dance?" My mother was at it again, always demanding.
I sighed. "Mom, I'm tired. My feet hurt. And I really, really just want to go home."
"At least pretend to be enjoying yourself," she huffed. "This is an important moment for your career!"
"Let the girl breathe, Georgia," my dad chuckled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "She’s had a long night."
My mother sighed dramatically. "You always take her side."
"That’s because she’s always right," my dad teased, winking at me.
I laughed lightly, grateful for the moment of ease.
"Alright," my mother relented. "But at least let Manny drive you home."
Manny—her personal assistant, who followed her around like a loyal dog.
I shook my head. "I'll be fine, Mom. I live five minutes away."
She sighed but didn't push the issue.
And with that, I turned on my heel, stepping out into the cold night air.
---
Home – Project Lazarus
My house was simple, a joke considering what I could afford. But I was never into luxuries.
My thing was science. My entire fortune was pumped into my work, my inventions, my projects.
I strode in, kicking off my heels and dragging my hair into a messy bun.
My body ached.
My mind did not.
The AI chip.
I made my way to my workstation, yanking on my lab coat, my hands already moving on autopilot.
Soldering.
Coding.
Testing.
Failing.
Over.
And over.
And over again.
Damn it.
I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, scowling at the screen in front of me. The code wouldn't sync up right. Every time I tried to run the simulation, it crashed.
What was I missing?
I glanced at my phone.
Still no calls.
Still no messages.
My chest tightened.
Where the hell was Bryon?
I hesitated before dialing his number once more.
Straight to voicemail.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Something was wrong.
I stared at my screen for a few moments before making up my mind.
I was going to his house,once the sun came up .
**
By the time I reached Bryon's house, the sun was just starting to rise.
I stepped out of my car, fatigue weighing me down.
Maybe he just left his phone behind.
Maybe he had fallen asleep.
Maybe—
The front door opened.
And I froze.
A woman walked out.
She was wearing his shirt,I know that because that's the char invention merch I gave him with the Mickey mouse face on it.
My stomach dropped.
I did not even realize I was moving until I was in the living room
And there he was.
Bryon.
Shirtless.
His hair mussed, his lips swollen.
The scent of wine and s*x filled the air.
Clothes were scattered across the floor.
The bed—our bed—was a total mess.
I could not breathe.
"Charlotte—"
"Why?" My voice was barely a whisper. "Why did you cheat on me?"
Bryon ran a hand through his hair, his expression unreadable.
"Char—"
"You were the one who told me to pursue my dreams," I cut in, my voice shaking.
“I did ask you to do that, not bury yourself in it and forget you have a boyfriend with feelings” he said spitting the words at me
Forget him ?
"You told me never to give up. You told me you were proud of me. And now—now that I finally succeed, you tell me I didn't spend enough time with you?"
He groaned, rubbing his temples. "Jesus, Charlotte, don't start."
"Don't start?" My voice cracked. "I go to all your football games. I sit in the front row of your stupid concerts. I do everything for you, but where the hell were you when I needed you?"
Silence.
A long, suffocating silence.
And then—
He laughed.
A mocking, cruel laugh.
"You just don't get it, do you?" He shook his head. "Charlotte, we haven't been in love for a long time."
I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach.
"What?" I gasped.
"This?" He gestured between us. "This relationship has been nothing but s*x for months. You act like we're this ideal couple, but we both know what it is."
No. No, that's not true.
"You want to know why I cheated?" His voice was cold. "Because I needed something real. Something you clearly can't give me."
I stumbled back, my entire body numb.
“We are done bryon” I say my voice barely above a whisper
My throat burned. My eyes burned.
But I wouldn't cry.
Not here.
Not in front of him.
“We were done a long time ago char”
I felt it the final shatter of my heart then I turned on my heel and walked away.
I wouldn't let him see me break.
- Writer
