TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence: Speaker non-lethally bludgeons listener

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Hey, sweetheart! How’s your day been?

[Pause]

My day was pretty good. Work was a little hectic, but on my lunch break, I managed to get a really good deal on centerpieces — [Teasing] some assembly required — and I found the perfect florist. Oh, don’t forget! We’re meeting with the caterer tomorrow. 9 a.m. I know, it’s early, but it was the only time they had. [Teasing] And honestly, I can’t be too mad about cake tasting for breakfast.

[Pause]

We need to talk? [Teasing Yet Nervous] That’s ominous. What’s up?

[Pause]

What do you mean, you want to call off the wedding?

[Pause]

[Stumbling Over Words, Upset] No, that’s, that’s not. That’s not. That’s normal. That’s normal, baby. It’s just cold feet. Everybody gets cold feet.

[Pause]

You can, you can find yourself right here or we can travel or...You don’t need to walk away from me to do all that.

[Pause]

You never got to explore. You mean you never got to explore other [guys/girls]. You were my first, too; you know that. You were my first everything. But we were perfect. We fit. We were right. When you find what you’re looking for, you’re supposed to stop looking. You don’t…you don’t just keep window shopping and get greedy and throw away 10 years over nothing.

[Angry] You promised we were going to stay together for the rest of our lives. You said forever. You called me your soulmate.

[Pause]

Yes, we were 16. That’s still old enough to know what you’re saying, and you weren’t 16 [when you gave me this ring / when I proposed to you].

[Pause]

That was a mistake. [Asking me to marry you was a mistake. / Agreeing to marry me was a mistake.] I’m just a mistake.

[Pause]

[Increasingly Bitter] You felt trapped. I thought we were building a future together, and you were just sticking around out of obligation. I didn’t realize I was your prison warden. I wouldn’t have given you such much freedom.

God, I’m such an idiot. I should have known. Of course you would trade me in for a newer model. You think you’re so amazing ever since you started your new job. You have money and an office and a title, and you let it go to your head. You got rid of all your old clothes. You got the car you’ve always wanted. You upgraded to the latest iPhone even though your old phone was fine.

[Short Pause]

[Angry] It wasn’t broken. [Softer, Colder] It wasn’t broken. You just didn’t want it anymore.

[Pause]

I don’t have anything without you.

[Pause]

[Angry] No, I’m not being dramatic. I can’t afford this apartment on my own. You know that. I’d have to find a new home.

[Pause]

Oh, you’re not just gonna throw me on the streets? What? I can just stick around and try to look grateful while you pretend I don’t exist?

[Pause]

I’ll be all alone.

[Pause]

My friends? You mean your friends? Yeah, they’re nice enough when I tag along, but we both know they’ll choose you if we break up.

[Short Pause]

[Upset, Frustrated] Yes. They will.

[Bitter] You even own the dog.

[Pause]

[Upset] So what do I do now? I just go away? And you get to stay here in the life we built and fuck some new [guy/girl] in our bed? Is that your plan? Is that what you want?

[Pause]

You’re sorry? You’re throwing away ten years, but you’re sorry. You’re always so sorry. [Resolved, Calm] Okay. I’m sorry, too.

[FX: Hits Listener with a Blunt Object]

[Gentle But Firm] Relax. [Harsher, Commanding] Relax. Stop fighting me. Stop trying to leave.

I don’t want to hurt you more than I already have, but I swear to God, if you keep struggling, I will keep hitting you.

I’m not gonna let you be the one who got away. I’m not gonna let you get away. I love you too much.