Break-ups are painful, stressful and hard to forget, but sometimes we’re blind to the warning signs that brace us for a cold ending.

Let’s be honest: Karrueche, there shouldn’t be that much contact between your boyfriend and his former lover unless there was a child involved. Rihanna and Chris Brown had way too much interaction to be exes. While we’re sure there were times Karrueche did raise hell, where were her girlfriends to help her put this situation in perspective?

Well, we’ve created a list of warning signs that should’ve encouraged Karrueche to stack boxes to the left.

Karrueche should’ve left when…

1. Rihanna featured Chris Brown on her “Birthday Cake” remix

It’s obvious Rihanna and Chris Brown had a unresolved feelings for each other when the two collaborated on Rihanna’s remix for her hit “Birthday Cake.” The sexual hints, and the shot at Karrueche “sweeter than that rice cake” (alluding to Karrueche’s Vietnamese roots) would’ve had us saying “Bye Baby” a lot sooner.

2. Chris Brown attended RiRi’s birthday party

Chris Brown was pressed to secretly attend Rihanna’s 24th birthday party. In hopes of keeping his presence a dirty little secret he distributed non-disclosure forms to party attendees to prevent pictures and news.

3. The Tweets (Subtweets, too!)

Call us petty, but when Rihanna tweeted a pic of cinnamon rice cakes accessorized with earrings and sunglasses we knew something was up. Rihanna is known for her bold demeanor, but this gesture was a little much for someone who’s allegedly a closed chapter.

4.  After watching Rihanna’s interview on Oprah’s Next Chapter 

Rihanna admitted to still being in love with Chris Brown. Honestly, this was the segway to everything that happened recently. Brown heard everything Rihanna neglected to tell him in person. Calling him “the love of her life” and recognizing his flaws were reasons for Brown to go crawling back to his first love.

5.  The VMAs

Rihanna and Brown shared a smooch after the Bajan singer exited the stage at this year’s VMAs. Friendly peck or not, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

We’re not siding with Rihanna or Karrueche, but considering the signs, it was obvious the former love birds were going to reunite. No shocker there!