All apologies are not equal. The television and film industry quite often gives us some unintended lessons on how not to live.
The one trope I’ve seen more than once is where one tear-filled apology makes everything better. This trope is especially prevalent in media aimed at young adults, sometimes in media aimed at the older market but not as often.
The apologiser will literally use and abuse their friends. Rip the friendship circle almost to pieces. Then it’s a big sob story, with “woe is me” and “I’m so terribly sorry”, and we must not forget the ugly crying.
Often times there is also a bit of victim-blaming thrown in with the apology or for good measure a bit of passive aggression.
The reality is that tear-filled apologies don’t always work as some wish they do. Apologising doesn’t automatically make everything better, unless coupled with the required actions.
And sometimes it is really just too late to apologise and hope things will go back to the way it was. Apologise, be sincere, and leave. Sometimes that’s the best option.