𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 // 𝗖.𝗙

𝓢𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓭

THE FIRST light of dawn paints Conrad's room in soft hues as Sylvia lay nestles against him, her ear pressed to his chest. His heartbeat, steady and sure, resonated through her, a rhythm that chased away the lingering shadows of the night.

Conrad's fingers trace gentle patterns in her hair, his other hand resting warmly on her waist.

The memory of their whispered confessions and the tender kiss they had shared replayed in his mind, each replay solidifying the emotions that surged within him.

A comfortable silence had settled between them since their heartfelt exchange, a silence filled with unspoken emotions and the weight of their shared history.

It was Sylvia who finally broke the quietude, her voice soft against his skin. "Did you mean what you said?"

The question hanging in the air.

Conrad's heart skipped a beat.

"About me being in love with you?" He clarifies, feeling her almost imperceptible nod against his chest. "I would never lie about that, Sylvia. My love for you never truly faded. Are you having second thoughts?"

Sylvia shifts, pulling away from his embrace to face him fully. "From the moment we ended things, I vowed never to let myself fall so deeply again, even if it was with you. But then this summer happened, and against my best intentions, I found myself falling even harder than before."

Conrad's brow furrow with concern as he reaches for her hand, his thumb gently caressing her skin. "Then what is it, Sylvia? I don't know what else I can say or do to prove how sorry I am for the pain I caused you. I never meant to hurt you the way I did. I was stupid, and I thought I was protecting you."

Sylvia sighs, her gaze softening as she looks into his eyes. "You did make me happy, Conrad. You always have, and a part of me knows you always will. But you also hurt me deeply, and I'm terrified of repeating that pain. I can't go through that again, Conrad."

He squeezes her hand reassuringly. "It won't be like that this time, Sylvia. I promise you. I have no intention of ever hurting you again, because hurting you would only hurt me. I need you."

Sylvia ran a hand through her hair, her eyes reflecting a storm of conflicting emotions. "You don't understand, Conrad. This fear has a hold on me, and it's suffocating. I want nothing more than to be with you completely, but my mind is constantly replaying the past, reminding me of the pain. I'm scared, Conrad, and I don't know how to shake this feeling."

Conrad reaches for her other hand, his eyes locking with hers. "Open your heart to me again, Sylvi. Let me in, and I promise I won't let you down. I've learned from my mistakes, and I'm ready to be the man you deserve. You mean everything to me, and I won't let you down this time."

Sylvia remains silent for a long moment, her gaze searching his, trying to discern the truth in his words. Finally, she took a deep breath, a flicker of determination in her eyes.

"Okay, Conrad. Let's do this. I'm not going to let you go, but I need you to promise me something."

"Anything." He replies without hesitation.

"Promise me that you won't hold anything back this time. That you'll actually depend on me, and talk to me about everything, even the hard stuff. Communication is key, Conrad, and if we can't do that, this won't work, not again."

Conrad nods solemnly. "I promise, Sylvia. I promise to give you everything, to be open and honest with you, no matter what."

A small smile tugs at the corner of Sylvia's lips. "Then, Conrad Fisher, will you do me the great honor of being my boyfriend... again?"