Whispers

Old Wounds

The next day was warm and bright as Cillian and she decided to explore Nafplio further. They wandered through the narrow streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling town, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. For a moment, everything felt perfect.

But as they strolled past a quaint café, her heart sank. There, sitting at a table, was her ex. The sight of him sent a wave of memories crashing over her—some good, but mostly painful. She had thought she was over him, yet seeing him in the flesh stirred up feelings she had tried hard to bury.

Cillian noticed the change in her demeanor immediately. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, concern etching his features.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied quickly, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She didn't want to ruin their day by dragging up the past.

Cillian studied her, his brows knitting together in worry. "You sure? You seem... distant."

She looked away, trying to focus on anything but him. "I just have a lot on my mind," she said, avoiding the truth. The last thing she wanted was to burden him with her baggage.

They continued walking, but she felt the weight of her ex's presence lingering like a shadow. Cillian chatted about the beautiful architecture around them, but she struggled to focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to what had happened between her and her ex—the heartbreak, the betrayal, the way he had made her feel unworthy.

When they reached a small market, she excused herself, needing a moment to breathe. Cillian let her go, giving her space, but he didn't miss the way her shoulders slumped.

As she perused the stalls, she caught glimpses of her ex laughing with friends, carefree and oblivious to her turmoil. Anger bubbled up inside her, mixed with sadness and regret. She hated that he could still affect her, even from a distance.

When she finally returned to Cillian, he was leaning against a stall, waiting patiently. The warmth in his smile was a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart. She forced herself to smile back, but she could feel the tension simmering just below the surface.

"Everything okay now?" he asked, concern still lacing his voice.

"Yeah," she lied, but Cillian wasn't convinced.

"Look, you can tell me if something's bothering you," he urged gently.

She hesitated, torn between wanting to be honest and fearing that sharing her past would change how he saw her. Instead, she nodded and changed the subject, trying to push the dark thoughts away.

As they continued their day, Cillian's playful demeanor gradually shifted. He could sense her walls, the distance she was putting between them, and it worried him. He wanted to be the one she could lean on, the one who made her feel safe.

Later, as they sat down for lunch, Cillian reached across the table and took her hand. "I just want you to know that I'm here for you," he said softly, his blue eyes searching hers.

She met his gaze, feeling a swell of emotion, but the memory of her ex loomed large in her mind. "I appreciate that," she replied, squeezing his hand, but her heart was heavy.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. She laughed with Cillian and tried to enjoy the moment, but the shadows of her past lingered, refusing to let her fully embrace the present. As they walked back home, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to break something beautiful.

Cillian noticed her struggle, feeling helpless as he watched her pull away. He knew she was hiding something, and the thought that she might not be ready to let him in hurt more than he expected. All he wanted was to help her heal, but he didn't know how to break through the walls she had built around her heart.

---

Later that evening, they found themselves on the terrace, the stars twinkling overhead as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves around them. The day had been filled with laughter, but now the weight of her thoughts felt heavier than ever. Cillian sat beside her, his presence comforting, but the distance between them still lingered.

After a moment of silence, he turned to her, concern etched on his features. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I'm here."

Taking a deep breath, she felt the walls she had built begin to crumble. "It's just... I saw my ex today," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cillian's expression shifted to one of understanding, urging her to continue.

"He... he wasn't good to me," she admitted, her heart racing as she spoke. "It was a long time ago, but he was abusive. Not just physically, but emotionally too. I thought I had moved on, but seeing him brought back all those feelings I tried to bury."

Cillian's eyes darkened, anger flaring for a moment at the thought of anyone hurting her. "I'm so sorry," he said softly, squeezing her hand. "You didn't deserve that."

Tears pricked at her eyes, the release of her pain almost overwhelming. "I don't want to remember that part of my life, but it still affects me. I keep thinking about how I felt then, and I'm scared that... I don't want to ruin this with you."

"Hey," Cillian said, his voice steady and reassuring. "What happened to you doesn't define who you are now. You're not that person anymore, and you don't have to carry that burden alone."

She looked at him, his gaze steady and sincere. It felt good to share the weight of her past, even just a little. "I just want to be able to trust again," she admitted, her voice trembling.

"You can trust me," he replied, leaning in closer, the warmth of his presence enveloping her. "I care about you, and I want to help you through this."

For the first time that day, she felt a flicker of hope. The pain of her past was still there, but maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself to feel safe with him.

Cillian brushed his thumb across her hand, grounding her in the present. "We'll take it one step at a time, okay?"

He reached for his phone and pulled up a playlist. Soft, melodic strains filled the air, wrapping around them like a warm embrace. He looked over at her, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

"Care for a dance?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

She hesitated for just a moment, then nodded, a flutter of excitement coursing through her. Cillian stood and extended his hand to her, helping her up from the chair. He pulled her close, their bodies swaying gently to the rhythm of the music.

As they moved together, the world around them faded away. The troubles of the day melted into the background, and she found solace in his arms. Cillian held her securely, his gaze fixed on her, making her feel cherished and safe.

"See? This is nice," he murmured, his voice low and soothing.

She smiled up at him, feeling the warmth of the moment wash over her. The tension that had hung between them began to dissipate, replaced by an undeniable connection that sparked in the air.

As they swayed together, she realized how far she had come in just a short time. The music filled the space with intimacy, and for the first time in a long while, she felt free.

With each beat, she let go of her fears and insecurities, allowing herself to simply be present with him. And in that moment, surrounded by the stars and the gentle melody, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.