Tyler and Rose had been dating for two years, their relationship a sanctuary for both, though it bore the scars of their pasts. Rose, in particular, was running from something dark—her parents, who had been nothing short of abusive.
One fateful night, tired of the pain and suffocation at home, Rose made a bold decision. She would run away to Tyler's house. He lived alone, his parents in America, and they sent him a monthly allowance. Knocking on the door, she felt a mix of fear and hope.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A young, handsome man opened the door. Tyler's eyes widened in recognition.
"Rose?" he said, studying her face, which looked as if it had seen a ghost. Without a word, she threw her arms around him, her body trembling.
"What happened?" Tyler asked, concern etched in his features as he caressed her back.
Rose didn't reply. She didn't need to. The silence spoke volumes. "Get in, stay with me," Tyler urged, leading her inside.
From that day forward, Rose found refuge in Tyler's home. He worked tirelessly, pouring himself into his job for both their sakes, while Rose took on a part-time job as well. Every morning, she prepared breakfast for him, a small act of love and normalcy amid the chaos they both endured.
But as the months went by, Tyler became increasingly distant.
"I have a meeting," he would say, brushing her off as he hurried out the door. Each time, Rose felt the warmth between them fade a little more.
One afternoon, she called him, her heart heavy with concern. "Tyler, what time will you be home?"
"I don't know. Whenever I can," he replied, his tone cold and clipped.
The harshness stung. Rose couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. His short replies and secretive nature led her to an agonizing conclusion: he must be cheating on her.
One evening, as she prepared dinner for Tyler, anxiety gnawed at her. She glanced at the clock—it was 8 PM, and still, he was absent.
Hours passed. Finally, at midnight, he stumbled through the door, disheveled and quiet.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, worry spilling over into anger.
"At work," he muttered dismissively.
"At this late hour?" Rose challenged, her heart racing.
Tyler rolled his eyes, frustration evident on his face. "What do you want me to say, Rose?"
"Tyler, can I ask you something?" she ventured, her voice shaking.
"What?" he shot back, irritation lacing his words.
"Are you cheating on me?" she blurted out.
"What!? Cheating on you!? You think I'm cheating on you!?" Tyler exploded, eyes flashing with anger.
"You've been so cold and distant! You came home drunk last night!" Rose stepped closer, her heart pounding.
"I was working for you all day! All the trouble you caused me!" he shouted, fists clenching.
"I was just asking you!" she yelled back. "Can't you think before you talk!? I'm just trying to understand!"
In a moment of rage, he raised his hand as if to strike her, but Rose flinched, the air thick with tension. Tyler froze, the realization of what he almost did crashing over him.
"S-sorry if I troubled you," Rose whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Tyler's heart sank. "No, no, Rose, you never trouble me," he said quickly, noticing the tears pooling on the floor.
She turned and ran upstairs, locking herself in her room. Guilt gnawed at him, and he cursed under his breath.
"Fuck," he muttered, sprinting after her. He gently opened the door to find her hiding beneath the covers, suitcases scattered around the room, filled with clothes.
"Rose, I'm fucking sorry," he pleaded, pulling her into a hug.
She didn't respond. "I'm the same as your parents," he confessed, desperation creeping into his voice.
She remained silent, and the weight of his words pressed down heavily. "Please, talk to me," he begged, his heart racing.
"N-no, I've troubled you a lot," she murmured. "I'll be leaving tomorrow."
"No! Don't leave me! I can't fucking live without you!" Tyler exclaimed, holding her tighter.
"But you said I was trouble," Rose replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"No! That's not true! It was never true!" he cried, desperation lacing his voice. He leaned down and kissed her—passion ignited between them, a spark of understanding rekindling their love.
"Never blame yourself," he murmured against her lips.
"Okay," she replied softly, her heart slowly mending.
Months later, in a quiet, intimate moment, Tyler proposed to Rose. She accepted with tears of joy in her eyes, and together, they sealed their love with a promise. They got married and were blessed with a child, their family now a symbol of resilience and hope, built from the ashes of their troubled pasts.
