The Past
I never thought I'd be that person. The one who lets jealousy and doubt creep into a relationship, slowly eroding the foundation we'd carefully constructed. Rovan and I had been together for nearly two years, sharing a small apartment on the outskirts of a midwestern city. We worked in the same industry, though at different locations, which should have been a strength. Instead, it became our weakness.
At first, the new colleague seemed harmless. Thalia had recently transferred to Rovan's workplace, bright-eyed and eager to make connections. He'd talk about her casually - how she was adjusting to the new city, how she needed help settling in. I trusted him. Completely.
The Turning Point
The first warning sign was subtle. Snapchat appeared on his phone - an app he'd previously dismissed as pointless. When I'd asked about it before, he'd been dismissive. But suddenly, for her, he found it fascinating. Their messaging increased. Late-night chats. Inside jokes. A connection that felt increasingly intimate.
The breaking point came when he casually mentioned picking her up from the airport - on the same day we had plans with my family. His explanation rang hollow. 'Just being nice,' he said. But I knew. The way he spoke about her, the light in his eyes - this was more than friendship.
Looking Back Now
Confrontation revealed the painful truth. He'd developed a crush. Worse, he compared me unfavorably to her - suggesting I didn't put in enough effort, wasn't as 'fun'. Those words cut deeper than any physical betrayal. In that moment, I realized I deserved someone who saw my worth, who didn't view our relationship as a convenience.
Leaving wasn't easy. We'd built a life together, intertwined our worlds. But staying would have meant accepting less than I deserved. My mother's words echoed: never settle for someone who doesn't look at you like you're the entire universe.
The Lesson
Workplace relationships are complex. Emotional boundaries matter more than physical ones. A crush can emerge quietly, like fog rolling in, obscuring commitment and respect. But recognizing it early - and valuing yourself enough to walk away - that's true strength.
Trust your instincts. They rarely lie.