"You said you love me? Then beg for it. Beg for my love. Show me-prove it again and again until I say yes."
Beatrix is a girl of few words, someone who keeps her emotions locked away, unwilling to let anyone close. After experiencing deep trust issu...
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Beatrix:
Unexpected emotions surge through me as I cling to Ethan's arms, my body trembling with an intensity I can't contain. My eyes, burning with unshed tears, threaten to spill over, as if all the years of pent-up sorrow and fear have finally reached their breaking point. The version of myself that is unraveling before me is unfamiliar—a side of me I've never allowed myself to see, let alone show to anyone else. I've always convinced myself I'm strong, unbreakable, but deep down, I realize I'm terrified. I realize I've always been searching—searching for someone to lean on, someone to trust. Yet, every time I reach out, I've been met with disappointment. So, I bury those feelings deep within, hidden even from myself. But then Ethan's words pierce through the armor I've so carefully built around my heart, each syllable like a gentle strike that demands my attention. His eyes, full of unspoken promises, beckon me to trust him, to see him. And in this moment, I find myself losing control, allowing the walls I've so carefully constructed to crumble. As the weight of my emotions overwhelms me, I search for his hands, desperate for some form of reassurance, wondering if maybe—just maybe—he can be the one to heal the ache that has plagued my heart for so long.
At that moment, we just stayed still. Ethan doesn't say anything, nor do I, but his arm tightens around me, pulling our bodies closer until we feel as one. I find some comfort in the warmth of his embrace, even though uncertainty swirls within me. I'm not sure how I will feel or what I will think once I regain control over myself. Will I embrace the comfort he offers, or will I push it away, afraid of letting myself trust again?
I don't know. The answer feels just out of reach and all I can do for now is let the stillness surround us both.
After a few moments, the outside world begins to stir, voices and footsteps approaching, shattering the fragile stillness that had surrounded us. We break our touch, and I step back, my gaze fixed on the ground. I can't bring myself to look at Ethan's face. I'm too afraid of what I'll see there, too afraid of the weight in his eyes, after everything I've said. I don't have the strength to face it.
Without a word, I move away, slipping past him toward the door, the ache in my chest growing heavier with every step. But just before I can leave, his voice stops me, "I love you."
His voice is law, unwavering and certain, and his words assure me again—everything he said, he meant it. The weight of his love settles deep within me, impossible to ignore. But I can't speak, can't find the words to respond. With my heart heavy and my mind in turmoil, I turn and leave the room, unable to stay, unable to face the truth of what he's just given me.
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I lay on my bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling, letting the silence settle around me. The doorbell rings, its sound sharp and uninvited. I barely register it, knowing Emma will answer the door. I hear voices—Emma's, of course, but there's another voice mixed in, deeper, more familiar. A voice that sends an unexpected jolt through my chest.
