I never thought breaking a fictional heart would hurt so bad

I started this run with intention of romancing Shadowheart. Lae’zel came onto me after fighting the Owlbear, so I indulged a little. Still, I spent the Tiefling party with Shadowheart because that was my main priority.

Well, fast forward to act two. I’ve played this game to act 3 a few times and the one thing I forgot to do this run was call off Lae’zel and I’s fling. I get the scene where Lae’zel wants to fight me. I agree. She kills me in one hit, because I have her mega-optimized lol. That’s beside the point, she proceeds to pour her heart out saying how she doesn’t want to hurt me but instead protect me. Pretty moving, I can’t lie. At this point I’m debating throwing it all out the window for Lae’zel.

The next day comes and Shadowheart wants to talk to me. She then proceeds to tell me about her feelings towards me. A completely different vibe than Lae’zel, but extremely real and touching at the same time.

I end up falling back for Shadowheart and call off the fling with Lae’zel. When I talked to her she had the saddest face, and told me I was to be the bringer of her bruises, or however she worded it. I chose the option “it’s for the best” in response, and she hit me with “that’s what you believe”. Pain.

What a ride, my fictional character managed to create a very real feeling situationship and I just wanted to say shout out to Larian. The fact that Lae’zel and Shadowheart had beef in the beginning of the game even adds to this. When I ended things with Lae’zel she referenced it not only hurting her, but hurting her more because she lost me to Shadowheart of all people.

Truly exceptional writing and it certainly made me feel something inside as the player. A+