Replaced By A Better Man

It was past midnight when my phone buzzed on the cluttered desk. I was in the middle of a grueling overtime shift, the harsh fluorescent lights of the office humming a low, irritating tune.

The text was from Jerry, my boyfriend of five years.

I ended the lease on our apartment. Sent you the new address.

I stared at the screen, a familiar, cold weight settling in my chest. I didn't need to look up the zip code to know what this meant.

Is this about Melanie again? I typed back, my fingers trembling slightly.