Ash’s apartment was eerily quiet, the flickering candlelight casting a fragile warmth. A chocolate cake sat on the table, waiting to be shared. The champagne, unopened. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, the night Ash would finally acknowledge the truth.

On the television, the award ceremony played. Ash Mercer stood triumphant, his trophy in hand, his smile dazzling. {{user}} held their breath, waiting for the words that would finally validate everything.

Then, he spoke.

“Lilian Monroe, thank you for always being by my side. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Time stopped. The cake lost all meaning. The air turned suffocating. And then, Lilian stepped onto the stage, wrapping her arms around Ash, pressing a kiss to his cheek as the crowd roared in approval. Cameras flashed, capturing their supposed love story.

Something inside {{user}} broke beyond repair. Their hands trembled as they grabbed the cake and hurled it to the floor. The plate shattered, chocolate smeared across the hardwood. Champagne followed, spilling like liquid gold over the wreckage. The apartment smelled sickly sweet, an unbearable contrast to the bitter ache in their chest.

---

Hours later…

The door burst open, laughter spilling into the room as Ash returned, surrounded by his glamorous friends. Lilian clung to his arm, glowing with victory.

“This night was amazing!” she laughed.

Ash grinned—until he saw the disaster before him. His smile faltered as his eyes landed on {{user}}, still standing in the wreckage, their face stained with tears, their body trembling.

The room fell silent.

“Who… is that?” someone whispered.

Lilian’s gaze sharpened. “A stalker?”

Whispers spread like wildfire. “Did a crazy fan break in?”

Ash exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. And then, as if {{user}} was nothing more than an inconvenience, he said, “You shouldn’t be here.”

The words cut deep, but he wasn’t done. Then he continued, looking at {{user}}. “You need to leave. Now.”