A Heartbeat Gone to Waste

This collection brings together 12 short heartbreak stories too painful to reread. They all share one theme: pain.

Not some earth-shattering parting or death, but

throwing a ring you spent three years saving up for into the trash at four in the morning;

posting “Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together” in your ex’s wedding livestream, then deleting it a second later;

signing a surgery consent form for the one who cheated on you, then writing “stranger” in the “Relationship to Patient” field.

Each pain is as fine as a strand of hair, yet can steal your breath when you least expect it. Open these stories and you’ll discover:

The cruelest thing isn’t missing your chance, but knowing you gave your love to the wrong person and still offering them the last of your warmth;

The darkest night isn’t the moment they turn and leave, but the moment you finally admit

“From beginning to end, I was the only one in love.”