
He Came Back, I Broke Him
Eighteen months ago, the man I loved shattered my heart, claiming everything between us was a mistake. Now, he's back, a ghost of his former self, a rookie tryout in my pro esports team. And I will make him regret crawling back.
Clifton, captain of a legendary esports team, was secretly battling a severe wrist injury that threatened his career, every match a fight against his own body. He pushed through the pain, ignoring doctors' warnings, desperate to maintain his god-like status.
His world was already on the edge, but nothing prepared him for seeing Justice Terry again in the team basement. Justice, pale and trembling, his eyes wide with naked terror, was now a rookie tryout.
Clifton had spent a year and a half trying to forget that rainy Chicago alley, the raw revulsion in Justice's eyes, the whispered "it wasn't real" that had left him heartbroken. Justice had vanished, and Clifton had erased every trace. Now, the boy who once looked at him like he was the sun was back, flinching at his touch, displaying a deep, primal fear. Amidst sponsor pressure and whispers of being "washed," Clifton saw Justice's return as a chance for vengeance. He publicly humiliated Justice on a live stream, forcing him into a suicide mission, then coldly benched him.
Yet, the satisfaction never came. Instead, a hollow emptiness and a torrent of questions: What had truly happened in the past? Why was Justice here, and what trauma had carved such fear into his bones?
Clifton, unwilling to be fooled again, swore to uncover every secret and every lie. He would force Justice to explain why he had returned, even if it meant tearing down everything they both had left.
Clifton POV
The next round began. Clifton bought the sniper rifle. Full shields. All equipment.
The barrier dropped. He didn't wait for his team. He pushed straight toward the same site where Justice had killed him. Planted himself in the exact same position. Scoped in on the exact same angle.
Come on. Do it again. I dare you.
Justice's character model appeared at the edge of his scope, crossing the same gap. The name Ember glowed red in Clifton's crosshair.
Clifton didn't adjust. He didn't flick. He just waited for Justice to walk into it.
The sniper rifle thundered.
Ash eliminated Ember with a headshot.
No duel. No exchange. An execution. Justice had walked directly into a bullet that was already waiting for him.
Across the room, Justice's hands flew off his keyboard. The gray death screen reflected off his pale, startled face.
Clifton stared at the kill feed. The words gave him nothing. No satisfaction. Only a hollow, gnawing frustration.
Killing Justice hadn't answered any of his questions. It had only made him more aware of how badly he wanted answers.
For the rest of the match, Clifton played like a demon. He led the first team on an absolute slaughter. The academy team couldn't get a single round. First team closed it out with a crushing, humiliating scoreline.
The moment the match ended, the bright overhead lights snapped on.
Coach Alger kicked the door open. His face was thunderous. "Everyone to the VOD review room! Now!"