The Hard Way

Tension in my throat

Static in my chest

Clock hands drag

Air feels like lead

You built me a maze

Every wall looked kind

Said, “Trust me, just walk”

Blindfold on my eyes

Burned all my maps

Called it “starting again”

You painted my doubts

As some kind of sin

I swallowed your storms

Called the thunder my fault

Now I taste rust

Every time that I talk

You said it was love

But love doesn’t cage

You don’t call it a home

Then erase my name

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

There’s no door, just painted frames on the wall

You said “stay” like I had any say

Gave me no way out, watched me crawl

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

Every truth is written under skin

Pulled the thread, now everything breaks

You locked me in, then called it a win (yeah)

Your voice was a script

I read all your lines

Turned my spine to glass

Just to keep you fine

You twisted my rage

Into jokes, into shame

Made me bleed in the dark

Then forgot my name

Now the floorboards creak

Every step that I take

Is it fear, is it grief

Or just something you made?

I carried the blame

Like it kept me safe

But the truth cuts through

What I couldn’t say

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

There’s no door, just painted frames on the wall

You said “stay” like I had any say

Gave me no way out, watched me crawl

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

Every truth is written under skin

Pulled the thread, now everything breaks

You locked me in, then called it a win (oh)

All these “I’m sorry”s

Stacked like stones

Can’t build a bridge

Out of broken bones

You taught me love

With a loaded stare

Now I’m screaming your name

Into empty air

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

There was never a key, just your hand

You called it control, called it fate

While I was sinking in quicksand

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

Tore your promise off like a brand

If there’s hell, I’ve seen that place

And it wears your hands

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way

No maze left to run

No lie left to defend

I stopped begging for closure

When you taught me how endings end

I laid down the armor

I wore just to stay

Found strength in the silence

When I finally walked away

Your shadow still whispers

When the room goes quiet

But I don’t answer the call

I don’t riot inside it

I learned how to breathe

Without counting your breath

I chose myself

And survived the rest

The walls lost their voices

The locks lost their claim

What you called love

Was just fear with a name

So if you’re listening now

From whatever you planned—

I didn’t escape you

I outgrew your hands

I’m finding out, finding out the hard way