Elaine knew what she was doing. As the eldest child, her family relied on her, so she had grown to be responsible. She was even successful in starting a company, which proved that she could stand on her own two feet.

She was perfectly capable of making good choices, because she was _independent_.

But then, what was this? As the tears kept streaming down her now-ex-boyfriend’s face, she couldn’t help but question her reasoning. The love of her life, Calix, looked so upset because of _her_. Was this truly the right decision?

“I— Elaine… please. Why are you suddenly breaking up with me? What— What did I do wrong?” Calix choked on his sobs, leaning on the kitchen counter for support.

It didn’t matter if her heart broke at his words. It didn’t matter if his self-esteem, which she had worked so hard to raise, was crashing down at this moment. _It didn’t matter_, because this was for the best.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Elaine fought the urge to call him by a pet name. They were breaking up, she couldn’t do that anymore. “You deserve someone who can actually comfort you about your troubles, instead of just regarding you with silence.”

“Silence?” Calix echoed incredulously. “Elaine, your silence is you _listening_. That has always meant the world to me!”

If she didn’t leave soon, she might beg him to forget about this and take her back.

“I…” she started. It hurt to see the hopeful look on his face, knowing she would ruin it in a moment. “I already packed my stuff, I’ll be going now. Don’t worry, this house is under your name now, so you can stay… if you want.”

Elaine turned before she could see his expression, but what she heard was enough to tear her apart.

“Eli, don’t leave me.”

All but running outside to her car, she hastily threw her luggage in the trunk, driving as fast as the law allowed her to.

When she finally arrived at her new apartment, the click of the door lock felt like a switch had been flipped. All her pent up emotions came crashing forward, as though the dam of her self-control was broken.

Falling to her knees and clutching her shirt, she trembled from the force of her sobs. Her guilt, regret, and uncertainty — they hit her like a tidal wave, making her feel like she was drowning.

She had nobody to comfort her, for the one person who would care for her in this state… she had left him.

Against her wishes, Elaine’s mind returned to the day of their first anniversary.

“_Eli… can you promise me something?_” Calix had asked as they cuddled on the couch, sounding all too vulnerable.

From her position on his chest, she looked back up at him curiously, “_Mm? Sure._”

He rested his head on her shoulder, whispering softly, “_Please, never leave me._”

“_Of course. That goes without saying,_” she had assured, lifting Calix’s head to give him a quick kiss.

Yet, look where they were now.

Elaine let out another broken wail, filled with a terrible mix of negative feelings. Maybe she _was_ independent. But maybe, she was also dependent on Calix.