Listen to Easy by Camila Cabello.

I curled deeper into the soft pillow, the warmth of the sheets cocooning me as I waited for Adrian to return. The house was eerily still, the silence pressing in like a thick fog. Ten minutes had passed since he'd gone to answer the door, and the quiet gnawed at me, an unease creeping up my spine. I tried to brush it off, telling myself I was being irrational, but the feeling wouldn't subside.

I slid out of bed quickly, my feet hitting the cold floor with a soft thud. The silence only seemed to deepen as I moved through the house, the air thick with tension. As I neared the stairs, I could hear soft voices, faint but distinct. Adrian's low murmur mixed with a woman's voice—one I didn't recognize. My heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't see them clearly from where I stood, but Adrian's broad silhouette blocked most of the doorway. All I could make out was the vague shape of a woman, her frame lit by the dim light spilling from the hallway. A woman.

Why was he speaking with her?

I moved closer, my steps barely making a sound on the polished wood floor. The closer I got, the clearer it became: a female voice, smooth but sharp, like a blade wrapped in velvet.

"Hey," I called out, the words slipping from my mouth before I could stop them, my tone sharper than I'd intended. "Why's it taking so long? I was starting to get worried."

Adrian turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes widening in surprise. "Belvina?"

The way he said it was strange, distant. My name on his lips sounded different, almost like a reminder. A shift in the air.

My gaze moved past him, narrowing in on the figure standing in the doorway. A chill ran down my spine, and my pulse quickened.

There, standing in front of Adrian, was a face I'd seen only in nightmares.

Karen.

Just the sight of her—her cold, calculating gaze, that smile like a predator's—was enough to ignite a rage deep in my chest. My heart hammered as fury flooded my veins. I hadn't forgotten what she had done.

Every inch of me tensed, a fire building in my gut. I wasn't just angry—I was . The woman standing before me had nearly torn everything I loved apart, and now she was standing there as if nothing had happened, like it was all just some bad memory she could walk away from.

"Look who crawled out of hell," I said, my voice biting, laced with venom. "Did you escape from prison, or did they just let you out on good behavior?"

Karen's eyes narrowed, flicking over me like I was an insect she was too disinterested to bother with. Her smile was insufferably smug.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Her tone was condescending, as though she hadn't already wreaked enough havoc in our lives.

The audacity.

I took a step forward, my anger boiling over. "Someone you don't want to mess with."

I didn't wait for Adrian's protest. I shoved past him, all focus on Karen, my eyes locked on her with a deadly intensity. The world around me blurred as my anger took control, surging through me like a tidal wave.

"Vixen," Adrian called, his hand gripping my arm in an attempt to pull me back, but I shook him off with ease. I could barely hear him over the sound of my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.

Karen. The name echoed in my mind. She had nearly killed Chloe. I could still feel the raw terror of that moment—the thought that I might lose her. That fear had been a fire, and this woman was the match.

I stepped closer to her, my voice low and dangerous, barely a whisper but laced with all the anger I had kept hidden for so long. "You tried to take my best friend from me. You thought you could just walk away? You don't get to do that, not after everything."

My hand shot out before I even realized it, grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking her forward with all the force I could muster. She gasped, her eyes wide in surprise, but that didn't matter to me.

"That," I said, voice thick with emotion, "is for Chloe." I gave her hair another savage pull, watching her wince, a surge of satisfaction flooding me.

Adrian's hands were on me then, his voice strained, desperate. "Vixen, stop—"

But I wasn't stopping. Not now. Not after everything she'd done.

I pulled her head back, my breath coming in ragged bursts, my body trembling with fury. "You think you can just show up here, act like nothing happened?" I sneered. "Well, guess what? I've been waiting for this."

I struck her—hard—across the cheek.

Adrian's arms were around me then, pulling me away, but I wasn't ready to let go. I kicked out with my leg, the tension in my body pushing against him as I struggled in his arms.

I hissed, "You'll leave here in pieces." My voice was a growl, raw and primal.

Adrian had no choice but to lift me off the ground, throwing me over his shoulder as I kicked and cursed, my words a string of furious Spanish. I didn't care. I was a storm, and nothing could calm me now.

"Don't ever hurt the people I love again," I spat, my body writhing in Adrian's arms as he carried me inside. The door slammed behind us, cutting off the vision of her smug face.

He gently set me down, taking my hand in his, his touch softer than I felt in that moment. But I couldn't calm down. Not yet.

"Vixen, please," Adrian said, his voice pleading, his eyes full of concern. "She's just here to talk."

"Talk?" I scoffed, disbelief flooding my chest. "And you actually believe her?"

I shook my head, the anger still burning hot in my veins. "She's not here to talk. She's here to manipulate you again, Adrian. Don't let her play you. Don't let her back into our lives."

But Adrian just stood there, looking at me with those steady, familiar eyes. His hand reached out, cupping my cheek gently.

"I need to hear her out. Please, Vixen, just trust me."

I stared at him, torn.

But there was no way in hell I was letting her hurt him again. Not without a fight.

"Fine," I muttered, my voice low. "You find out what she wants, but I'm coming out if I get uncomfortable."

Adrian smiled, just a little, the tension in his shoulders easing as he pulled me into a hug. "You're something else, Vixen."

I pressed my face into his chest, my heart still racing, still angry, still burning. But for now, I was going to hold onto him. He wasn't going to face this alone.

As he opened the door to go back out, I shot Karen one last glare, giving her the middle finger. The door shut behind Adrian, and I slumped onto the couch, my thoughts a tangle of fear and fury. What was she doing here? What did she want?

I slumped on the couch and stared at the door waiting for Adrian to return, I couldn't shake off the uneasiness in my stomach as the thought of them alone outside having a conversation irked me. What did she want? What were they even talking about? The fact Adrian could still stand her after what happened worried me. Maybe I was a little jealous, she was his psycho ex, and what she did ruined him.

I stood up as soon as the door opened. Karen was gone when I looked outside, Adrian stepped inside and locked the door. I studied his expression as he approached me, the twinkle in his eyes a few minutes ago was gone.

"So, what did she want?"

"She is on probation and doesn't have a place to stay. She was asking for some money, she lost her job and her boyfriend kicked her out."

"Well Karma is a bitch, she had it coming," I said and he frowned.

"You're not planning on giving her the money, are you?"

"She needs help, Belvina. She is staying at a homeless shelter and she said the food there is horrible. I know she did awful things in the past and I shouldn't even spare her a glance but I'm not that kind of person, I can't just ignore someone in need. " he said.

"I can't believe you right now, she is a two-faced witch. She is taking advantage of this good and vulnerable part of you, can't you see that?"

"I promise once I send her the money, I will never speak to her again, ever," he said stepping closer and taking my hand.

"Please Vixen, trust me on this. I'm not the type to turn a blind eye to someone that needs help and she was crying so much, I just couldn't. It will haunt me forever."

He was , always had been. It was a part of him that made him Adrian—his relentless need to help, to fix, to save, even when the people he tried to save had hurt him. I couldn't decide whether it was his greatest strength or his most dangerous weakness. But it didn't matter, because I felt this raw, undeniable need to protect him. To shield him from the world. From .

"Perra falsa," I muttered under my breath, the words tasting bitter as they left my lips. "Pretty sure that whole thing was an act."

Adrian's hand was suddenly under my chin, his touch gentle but firm, lifting my gaze to meet his. "Hey," he whispered, his voice soft but laced with something I couldn't quite place.

"If she does anything shady," he said, his lips brushing just barely against my ear, his words an unspoken promise, "she's going back to prison."

I chuckled, but the sound was hollow. "Let's hope she doesn't murder one of us before she gets there."

Adrian laughed, that deep, easy laugh that always made me feel like the world could pause, if only for a second. "Let's just forget that ever happened," he said, and before I could protest, he swept me up in his arms.

I barely had time to brace myself before I was pressed against his chest, my feet dangling off the floor. "I have legs for a reason, you know," I grumbled, my arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, pulling myself closer.

"I know," he grinned, his voice playful, but there was a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I just felt like exercising."

I rolled my eyes, but there was no fighting the smile that tugged at my lips. He always knew how to lighten the moment, even when the world felt heavy.

We tumbled into bed together, and for a few moments, all that mattered was the warmth of his body against mine, the quiet hum of his breath in the dark. Adrian turned off the lights, the room sinking into a soft, comforting silence.

But my mind? It was a storm.

Karen. I couldn't shake the image of her—her manipulative smile, those fake tears. I knew Adrian was too good for her games, but he'd always been so damn vulnerable to the people he wanted to save. It tore at something deep inside me. She had him before. I'd seen it, I'd felt it—how much she'd taken from him. And now, she was worming her way back in. Just like that.

No.

There was no way I was going to let her do it again. Not while I still had breath in my body. She had to get through me first.

I stroked Adrian's hair, my fingers tangled in the soft strands, but my eyes were fixed on the dark ceiling above us. He might've been pretending everything was fine, masking the pain with that smile of his, but I knew better. I could feel it, the tension in his shoulders, the way he held himself just a little too tightly, like he was waiting for the next blow to land.

I turned toward him, my hand slipping down to his cheek, brushing the roughness of his jaw with the pads of my fingers. He froze, but then his eyes softened, and for a moment, everything else faded.

"I'm here," I whispered, the words just for him. "No matter what happens, I'm here."

He didn't say anything at first. His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, like he needed my warmth to chase away the ghosts of the past. And I let him. I let him hold me like he was afraid if he didn't, I might slip away.

In that silence, in the dark, I knew one thing for certain. I wasn't going anywhere. And no matter how much Karen tried to claw her way back into his life, she'd have to get through me first.

I snuggled into him, and Adrian let out a sigh—a sound of exhaustion, of relief, of something deeper. His arms wrapped tighter around me, as if he needed me to anchor him, just as much as I needed him to anchor me.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

###

My ringtone blared somewhere in the room, piercing through the thick, cozy silence like an unwanted alarm clock. I groaned into Adrian's neck, the sound muffled as I tried to fight the urge to answer it. The warmth of his skin, his scent—everything about this moment was too perfect to break, and yet...

I tried to pull away, but Adrian grumbled in protest, his arms tightening around me, pulling me back into his chest. "Don't go," he hummed, the words low and sleep-heavy, like he was too comfortable to care about the world outside the bed.

"I have to answer my phone," I murmured, brushing his messy, sexy hair out of his face. It was wild, untamed, and somehow, that just made him look even more irresistible. He let go reluctantly, but his eyes stayed on me, watching with that lazy, intoxicating gaze of his as I reached for the phone.

It was my mom. Great.

"Hola Mami, Buenos Dias," I said, stifling a yawn as I walked toward the glass wall, squinting at the bright sunlight streaming through the drapes. The sudden brightness made me flinch, and I quickly shielded my eyes.

"It's past ten, you were supposed to be here by seven so we could attend eight a.m. mass together!" she scolded before I could even say another word.

I sighed, moving my "caveman" hair out of my face. "Sorry, I overslept," I said, half-grinning as I peeled the drapes apart. The sunlight hit me like a punch, and I winced, quickly turning my head away.

"Fuck, Vixen," Adrian groaned from behind me, equally affected by the blinding light. It made me laugh, the sound escaping before I could stop it.

"Are you with a man, Fabiola?" my mom pressed, her voice tightening suspiciously, the concern there but also a hint of something else.

"Nos vemos luego, Mami," I quickly said, cutting her off before she could go full-on interrogation mode. "I'll be there in an hour." I ended the call with a practiced swipe, already wishing I could go back to the warmth of the bed and the chaos of Adrian's smile.

"You're leaving already?" Adrian asked, his voice thick with a mix of disappointment and amusement. I turned back to face him, and for a moment, I froze. He was leaning against the headboard, the same position that had probably been immortalized on magazine covers for the past decade. His jaw was sharp, his muscles taut, and he had that lazy, perfect glow that made me want to jump back into bed with him and never leave.

It was illegal to be this hot.

I caught myself staring at his smooth skin, tempted to reach out and touch it, to ask him what skin routine he was using (because I needed it). But before I could make myself move, Adrian caught me, his grin knowing and cocky.

"Are you gonna say something or just keep staring at me like you're under a spell?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I rolled my eyes, trying to shake myself free from the spell he'd clearly cast on me. "Yes, my mom is already mad at me for not going to church with them, and I know that's all she's going to talk about all day," I said, walking over to where he had kicked off his slippers and slipping them on my own feet. They were way too big for me, but I didn't care.

I gave him a quick glance over my shoulder. "I'll probably hear about it until my next birthday."

Adrian chuckled, his deep laugh sending a shiver down my spine. "Sounds like fun," he said, clearly not convinced.

"Yeah, a real party," I shot back, slipping a foot into one of his oversized slippers with exaggerated grace. "I'll be out of here in a minute. Can't keep my mom waiting too long."

Adrian made a sound of protest, but it was playful. "You sure you don't want to stay here and make some new plans?" Adrian said taking my hand and pulling me to the bed till I was sitting on his lap. I bit back a smile when I felt the hardness between his legs. His eyes darkened slightly, like the offer wasn't just about breakfast anymore.

"Tempting," I smirked.

"I was hoping we could have breakfast," he whispered trailing kisses up my arm to my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I can't, I'm running late," I said tilting my head to the side to look at him.

"You look beautiful," he said touching my hair, I smiled and leaned closer to kiss him but a throaty groan left his lips.

"Don't move," he said to me and I tried not to laugh at the expression on his face, his face creased and he bit on his lips like he was in pain. I felt him twitch beneath me, I held my breath as felt the heat rush from my neck to every sensitive part of my body. The sudden throbbing between my legs made me fight the urge to move.

"I should hurry up and leave," I said and stood up quickly. I didn't look back as I headed to the bathroom like I was being chased. I closed the door and leaned on it feeling like a coward.

I walked over to the washbasin, splashing cold water on my face, the chill a quick shock that helped clear the fog in my mind. I needed a moment to shake off the warmth of the bed, to reset. As I grabbed the toothbrush, I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Can I come in?"

I didn't look away from the mirror as I spoke, my voice casual. "Of course."

Adrian walked in without hesitation, the door swinging open, and he came to stand beside me, leaning casually against the counter with his arms folded. I could feel the weight of his presence beside me, like a quiet storm, always there, even in the small moments.

"Did I make you uncomfortable back in the room?" His tone was serious, cautious, like he was testing the waters.

I rinsed my mouth and shook my head. "No," I said simply, wiping my lips with the back of my hand. "You didn't."

His expression softened, but there was still that flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "I know we should be taking things slow. I don't want you to feel pressured into doing anything, or—"

I cut him off before he could finish, stepping up on my tiptoes and capturing his lips in a deep kiss. The kind of kiss that didn't leave room for words. He stiffened at first, surprised by my boldness, but soon relaxed, his hand sliding to the small of my back, pulling me closer. When I pulled away, breathless, I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips.

"Stop with the speech, Parker," I said, my voice low and steady. "You don't make me uncomfortable. If anything, I feel more around you."

His eyes flashed with something I couldn't quite name. He nodded, silently conceding, and I turned toward the shower. The sound of the water starting up was a comforting noise as I stripped off the last remnants of sleep, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. When I looked over my shoulder at him, I caught the grin spreading across his face—an expression I'd grown far too familiar with.

I stepped into the shower cubicle and let the hot water cascade over me. The steam filled the air, wrapping around me like a blanket, and for a moment, it felt like I could forget the world outside. But before I could truly sink into the moment, I heard the soft click of the bathroom door behind me.

Adrian had left.

I finished my shower, quickly wrapping myself in a towel, and stepped out into the bedroom. There he was—doing push-ups on the floor like he had no intention of stopping any time soon. My lips curled into a smirk as I walked past him, tossing him a playful glance.

"Show-off," I teased, my voice light and teasing as I headed toward his closet to find something to wear.

He grinned, his arms flexing as he lowered himself, and I couldn't help but admire his strength, his effortless confidence. The man was an animal in the best possible way.

I dressed quickly, struggling with my hair as I tried to make it look presentable. It wasn't easy—especially with the memory of him so close to me, still fresh on my skin.

When I was finally dressed, I turned to face him. "It's gonna take a while for an Uber to get here," I said, slipping on my sneakers.

"You can use one of my cars," Adrian replied, no hesitation in his voice. "And no, 'no' is not an answer." He closed the distance between us, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek, his lips warm and soft.

"See you tonight," he added, before I could protest or offer any resistance. And with that, he turned and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me standing there with a faint smile pulling at my lips.

I grabbed my phone and purse, ready to head out, but the thought of Adrian's car lingered. I needed to get going, but part of me didn't want to leave. Still, duty called.

I smiled to myself as I snatched the keys to his green convertible off the counter. The engine roared to life as I slid into the driver's seat, the wind already tugging at my hair.

As I drove away, the familiar streets of the city passing by, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was leaving behind something that I didn't want to.

###

"¡Ya llegué!" I shouted, stepping through the front door with all the enthusiasm of a person who'd just driven across town for the umpteenth time. The sound of laughter and splashing water greeted me as I made my way into the backyard. There, my little brother Pedro was playing volleyball in the pool with my dad, the two of them locked in some kind of fierce father-son competition. My mom, as usual, was perched on the sun lounger, an inspirational book in hand—because apparently, relaxing in the sun and cultivating inner peace went hand in hand.

I put my hands on my hips, feigning mock offense. "I see you're all having fun without me."

My mom didn't look up from her book, but her voice carried that familiar tone of playful accusation. "You finally decided to come? We ate all the without you."

I rolled my eyes, sighing dramatically. "Mami..." I groaned, walking up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist in a tight hug. "I missed you so much. You know you're the best, right? I love you much."

She sighed, trying to maintain her serious expression, but I could feel the corners of her lips twitching. "I left you some in the fridge," she said, clearly trying to hold back a smile.

"You can't resist me, Mami," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek, the familiar scent of sunscreen and lavender lingering in the air.

"Papa!" I called out, turning my attention to my dad, who had paused his volleyball match to glance over at me. "I'm waiting for my hug."

He flashed me that goofy grin of his, his eyes crinkling in that way that always made me feel like I was ten years old again. "Why don't you join us? Your brother's not going easy on his old man," he teased, his voice warm and full of laughter.

"No, food first," I replied, already heading back into the house. The —always a Sunday tradition—was waiting for me, and I wasn't about to let it get cold.

I served myself a heaping plate of juicy with a generous amount of spicy salsa and white rice. It was like my mom had on comfort food, and I couldn't resist. With my plate in hand, I returned to the backyard and sat next to her on the lounger.

"Pedro, come and give your hermana a hug," I said, giving my little brother an exaggerated look.

"Eww," he grunted, not even bothering to look up from his game on his phone.

"You're gonna regret that," I said with a smirk, then, with perfect aim, kicked off my shoe and sent it flying in his direction.

"Fabiola!" my mom gasped, glaring at me. I shrugged, still grinning, but before I could say anything else, a blast of cool water hit me square in the chest.

"Pedro!" my mom screeched, sitting up in alarm, but her voice was laced with laughter, too.

"He started it!" Pedro yelled from the pool, his face lit up in pure mischief as he swam away from the edge, laughing his head off.

I shot him an exaggerated glare. "I am going to smash you after I get enough energy from eating all this," I muttered, digging into my like it was the only thing that mattered right now.

"Is that ?" I asked, noticing the familiar glass on the side table in front of my mom.

"Sí," she said with a knowing smile, taking a slow sip like she was savoring the moment.

"Papa made last night, and I finished yours," Pedro piped up, the brat. He was always quick to claim the spoils of my absence.

"Don't listen to him," my mom warned, her voice carrying that perfect mix of love and exasperation. "He lies, as usual."

I chuckled, sinking back into the lounge chair next to her. These moments, these small things—everything felt right. It was hard to believe I ever left this behind.

"So, when are we gonna meet him?" my mom asked casually, glancing up from her book as if she wasn't just for this conversation.

"Who?" I asked, playing coy, even though I knew exactly what she meant.

"The guy on the phone," she said, the suspicion clear in her voice. "I'm sure of what I heard."

"We just went on our first date," I said, shrugging nonchalantly as I popped a piece of rice into my mouth. "I don't think we've gotten to the 'meet the family' stage."

My mom yelled toward my dad, "Fabiola finally has a boyfriend!"

I could hear my dad shout back from inside. "That's a relief! When can I meet him?"

I rolled my eyes but smiled, then stood up. "I'll go eat inside," I muttered, already moving toward the door before they could interrogate me further.

A few hours later, my family came inside, all tan and smiling like they'd just returned from some beachside vacation. I sat down with Pedro to play a video game, fully intent on making sure he didn't win a single round. I wasn't about to let my little brother get the upper hand, even if I had to cheat.

"Fabiola? Is that your car?" my mom asked, her voice full of suspicion as she and Dad stood by the window. I followed their gaze, and sure enough, there it was— green Lamborghini parked in the driveway.

"No, I..." I stammered. "I borrowed it."

"Why didn't you go for something simple?" Dad said, his tone serious, though I could hear the faint edge of concern. "If you crash this car with your reckless driving, it's going to cost a lot."

"I'll be fine," I said, though I had no idea whether that was true or not. I wasn't exactly used to driving cars.

Mom joined us in the living room while Dad wandered upstairs, and she immediately set her sights on me, her gaze narrowing. "You missed church on purpose, didn't you?"

I sighed, mentally bracing myself for the conversation I had been all morning. "Here we go," I muttered under my breath.

###

It was well past nine when I finally arrived home. After a quick shower, I threw on my most comfortable pajamas—a pair of loose, soft cotton pants and an oversized tee that had seen better days. My mom had braided my hair into thick cornrows before I left, and I was grateful for the practical style as it still looked flawless.

I was just finishing up when my phone buzzed with a text from Adrian. it read, and the anticipation hit me before I could even think it through.

Twenty minutes later, I opened the door to find him standing there with a box of pizza in his hand. He looked me up and down, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"You look different," he said, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. "I didn't recognize you at first until you smiled."

I raised an eyebrow and spun around in place, giving him a dramatic twirl. "This is me after a day with my mom," I said, leaning into the playfulness.

Before I could say anything else, he stepped forward and grabbed my arm, pulling me into a one-armed hug. His body was warm and solid, the familiar scent of his cologne mixing with something earthy that was uniquely him.

"You smell so good," he murmured against my hair.

I grinned, feeling the heat of his breath on my skin. "Thank you," I said, letting my fingers rest on his chest for a moment longer than necessary before pulling away.

I unlocked the door, and he followed me inside, pizza in hand. We plopped down on the couch in the living room, and I wasted no time making myself comfortable with a pillow tucked under my head, already pressing play on saga. He reluctantly agreed to watch it, but only because I promised him the veggie pizza was "the best pizza he'd ever eaten."

"You're going to tell them about Karen, right?" I asked, voice softer now as the first part of the movie rolled on. The cheesy dialogue and bright screen flickers didn't seem to match the tight feeling in my chest.

Adrian paused mid-bite, glancing over at me. "I tried to after you left, but I couldn't. They're so happy right now, planning for their wedding... I don't want to ruin that."

I sighed, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in my gut. "We need to tell them. They deserve to know Karen's out. We can't just pretend everything's fine."

He leaned back, setting the pizza box down, and for a moment, I saw the familiar flicker of frustration in his eyes. "I already sent her the money," he said, his voice a little rougher than usual. "She promised she would stay away. We'll be fine."

"But my instincts say otherwise." I met his gaze, the weight of the unease I was feeling hanging between us like a storm cloud. "I just... I don't trust her. And I don't think we can afford to be that naive. We need to tell them. They have to be careful."

He reached out and touched my hand, his fingers brushing mine with purpose, as though trying to steady both of us. "Fine," he relented after a long beat. "I'll talk to them tomorrow."

I didn't know why, but the shift in the air left me feeling unsettled. The tension between us had been there for a reason, and I hated that it had crept in again. I needed him to believe me, to understand why I felt so strongly about Karen and the danger she posed.

Without thinking, I leaned closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. His body stiffened at first, like he wasn't sure what I needed, but then he relaxed, shifting slightly so that I could settle more comfortably against him.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" I whispered, my voice quieter now, softer. "I'll listen."

He took a brief glance down at me, his expression unreadable for a split second before he exhaled, a quiet sigh of relief or resignation. Maybe both. "I know," he murmured. "I just... I'm trying to make sense of it all."

I could feel the weight of his words more than I heard them. His shoulders were tense, and though he was trying to be strong for both of us, I could sense that things weren't as simple for him as he was letting on.

I didn't say anything more, letting the silence stretch between us for a while. The soft hum of the movie played in the background, but the only thing I could focus on was the steady rhythm of his breathing and the way his arm tightened around me, like he was afraid to let go.