Hearts Unveiled

Chapter 7

Despite the arrangement, Derek couldn't help but feel something deeper for Meredith. Every moment he spent with her strengthened his desire for her to open up emotionally. During their post-coital conversations, he would sometimes bring up the subject of his feelings, hoping that she would eventually change her mind.

One morning, as they lay together, Derek gently stroked Meredith's hair. "You know, Meredith, I really wish we could be more than this someday."

Meredith sighed, looking away. "Derek, you know how I feel. I don't want complications. What we have is enough for me for now."

Derek respected her choice, though it pained him. He knew he had to be patient, but he couldn't help but keep hoping.

---

Over time, the arrangement began to weigh on Derek. He was finding it harder and harder to suppress his feelings for Meredith. Every kiss, every touch only strengthened his love for her. For her part, Meredith remained firm in her decision not to commit emotionally.

On one particularly passionate night, Derek blurted out an "I love you" in the heat of the moment. Meredith stiffened for a moment before continuing, pretending not to have heard. After their embrace, Derek tried to clarify his words.

"Meredith, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I can't help but feel what I feel."

Meredith looked at him, sadness in her eyes. "Derek, I like you a lot, but I'm not ready to love again. Not right now."

--

Meredith was starting to feel torn between her desire for Derek and her fear of commitment. She deeply enjoyed their intimate moments and Derek's company, but she wasn't ready to let herself indulge in deeper feelings.

One night, as they lay together after a passionate night, Meredith expressed her doubts. "Derek, I don't want to hurt you. But I'm not sure I can give you what you want."

Derek looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness. "I understand, Meredith. I'm willing to wait, as long as we can continue to share these moments."

Meredith nodded, grateful for Derek's patience. But she couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before one of them really got hurt.

--

Their relationship didn't go unnoticed at the hospital. Cristina, Alex, and Mark watched with interest as their dynamic evolved. Cristina, true to form, didn't hesitate to share her thoughts.

"So, Grey, what's it like juggling McDreamy without the emotional complications?" she asked one day, a smirk on her face.

Meredith shrugged. "It's working for us so far."

Cristina nodded. "As long as you know what you're doing."

Alex, meanwhile, was approaching the situation with his usual directness. "Derek has feelings for you, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, I do," Meredith replied. "But I can't offer him more right now."

Mark, as Derek's friend, was trying to advise his friend. "Derek, if you keep hoping for more, it might hurt you. Make sure it's really what you want."

"I know, Mark," Derek replied. "But I think she's worth the wait."

--

The weeks turned into months, and despite their passionate moments, the emotional strain was starting to take its toll on their relationship. Derek continued to yearn for more, while Meredith struggled with her own conflicting feelings.

One night, after a long day, Derek faced Meredith. "Meredith, I can't keep doing this. I love you and I want more than what we have."

Meredith felt her heart clench. She knew this moment would come, but she wasn't ready. "Derek, I'm sorry. I can't give you what you want."

Derek nodded, his sadness visible. "I understand, Meredith. But I can't keep settling for this. Maybe we should stop."

The words fell like a cleaver. Meredith felt devastated, but she knew she had to respect Derek's needs. "Okay, Derek. If that's what you want."

They parted that night, each carrying the weight of the pain of separation. Derek hoped that one day Meredith would realize she could love again, while Meredith wondered if she had made the right choice in closing her heart to someone who truly loved her.

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I have never said it before but thank you very much for following this story. I really care about it because I thought I would stop fiction and I published it without thinking too much 2 months ago.