The Hard Way

[Intro]
Tension in my throat
Static in my chest
Clock hands drag
Air feels like lead
[Verse 1]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
You said it was love
But love doesn’t cage
You don’t call it a home
Then erase my name
[Chorus]
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)
[Verse 2]
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?
[Pre-Chorus]
I carried the blame
Like it kept me safe
But the truth cuts through
What I couldn’t say
[Chorus]
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)
[Bridge]
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
[Final Chorus]
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
[Outro]
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

Cinematic orchestral epic heightening, raw emotional rage, slow depressing bass heavy hip-hop, dark mood, male/female