(Verse 1 ) Six years old I came home to quiet, House still warm but something violent. They said she’s gone, just holiday air, Two weeks later the truth laid bare. Next-door shadows, closed front gate, I learned early that love can vacate. Didn’t scream, didn’t beg Just folded that feeling in my chest. (Pre-Chorus) Learned too young but not too late That love can turn to hate (Chorus) I’m not cold, I’m calculated, Every boundary calibrated. I don’t open just to prove I can bend or that I can move. I built steel from what I saw Love without a safety law. Call it guarded, call it strong I survived. I carried on. (Verse 2 ) Nine years old and I packed my case, Stuffed in my quiet, left that place. Didn’t cry in the doorway light I chose distance over fight. I don’t shatter when rooms explode, I memorise the exit code. Door in sight, back to the wall I don’t get caught, I don’t let fall. (Pre-Chorus) Truth doesn’t always shout and cry Sometimes it just learns to survive. (Chorus) I’m not cold, I’m calculated, Every boundary calibrated. I don’t open just to prove I can bend or that I can move. I built steel from what I saw Love without a safety law. Call it guarded, call it strong I survived. I carried on. (Verse 3 ) Twelve in a chair with a painted face, They said I’d learned to displace. Blank expression, steady tone I’d already raised my own backbone. Sixteen, a letter in my hand, Accused of lies, I didn’t understand. Turns out they’d already known I’d been searched for what wasn’t shown. (Pre-Chorus) Flirt too close, I step aside. Attention’s cheap I watch for lies. (Chorus) I’m not broken, I’m refined, Every scar a sharpened line. And when I flinch, I don’t explain, because I built my peace from pain. If I love, it’s rare and clean Chosen, earned, and fiercely seen. Call it guarded, call it strong I survived. I carried on. (Verse 4 ) Eighteen and eyes on neon signs, Dreamed in stage lights, bold headlines. Loaded ambition in a case, Left that house without a trace. Nineteen, a city, loud and fast, Fame felt close, I ran at haste. Twenty and the spotlight flickers thin, Dreams don’t always let you win. (Pre-Chorus) I don’t break when plans fall through, I just rebuild, start something new. (Chorus) I’m not broken, I’m refined, Every scar a sharpened line. And when I flinch, I don’t explain, because I built my peace from pain. If I love, it’s rare and clean Chosen, earned, and fiercely seen. Call it guarded, call it strong I survived. I carried on. (Verse 5) Twenty-one and it started slow, Friendship first, then undertow. He said love but held it tight, Used affection like a fight. Taught me how a kiss can bruise, How charm can twist, and truth can lose. So I learned again, recalibrate Love without respect’s a melting plate. (Pre-Chorus) I don’t stay when things go wrong I learned young to move along (Chorus) I’m not cold, I’m educated, Every heartbreak annotated. I don’t run, and I don’t chase, I won’t trade my centre place. Call it guarded, call it wise, but I’ve seen love weaponised. Call it guarded, call it strong I survived. I carried on. (Bridge – adult voice) Don’t mistake the calm for small, I’ve stood steady through it all. You see distant, I see aware I learned young to self-repair. (Final Chorus) I’m not hardened, I’m awake, Every lesson shaped my shape. If I hesitate, I have learned Not every fire should be burned. I’m not distant, I remain I built my peace from every pain. Call it fortress, call it frame I survived and kept my name. I survived and learned to heal. Chin up. Eyes front, feet forward. Let the past stay where it fell. Leave the heartbreak back in hell.