LOVE'S QUAGMIRE [18+]

Bonus Chapter 2: Anniversary

Cyrus's POV~

I hit the brakes and glanced over at her. She looked deep in thought. I could tell something was off. She was hiding something—maybe not on purpose, but it was there. She must've felt my eyes on her, 'cause she turned and gave me this small smile.

I turned toward her fully and took her hands in mine, holding them gently. I looked into her eyes and said softly, "Hey... I know there's something you're not saying."

She opened her mouth like she was about to explain, but I shook my head a little and hushed her before she could go on. "I don't know what it is," I said, "but I can see it's been messing with you since morning. At first, I thought maybe you were mad at me for not coming home last night. But that's not how my Daphne is. And even thinking that way—yeah, that was dumb of me."

I rubbed my thumb on her palm slowly. "There's something else going on. and I'm not gonna force you to talk about it... but I'm asking you. Open up to me, baby. Please. Let me in. I can see it's hurting you."

"I meant it when I made that vow to you," I said quietly, looking into her eyes. "I swore I'd be there—no matter what. You carry it, I carry it too. You speak, I listen. You hurt, I fix it. You're not alone." 

Her eyes started to get glossy, and I saw her swallow hard. She nodded slowly... and I squeezed her hands a little tighter, letting her know I was right there.

"Yeah?" I asked, looking at her, waiting. She gave me a small nod, but wouldn't meet my eyes.

"I won't push you," I said gently. "But whenever you feel like you gotta let it out... just tell me, alright?" 

She nodded again, and I leaned in, kissing her soft, red lips.

I got out of the car and walked over to open her door. She stepped out, and as soon as she saw where we were, her eyes went wide. Seeing her mood shift like that—so surprised and happy—made me chuckle. Knowing she liked it made me feel good, real good.

"Ahh! Oh my god, thank you, thank you, thank you!" 

She let out the cutest squeal and threw her arms around me, hugging me tight. 

I hugged her back, holding her close. She smelled just like she always did—soft, familiar, comforting. I didn't say anything, just closed my eyes for a second. Being with her like that, it felt right. Home.

She's obsessed with movies the same way she's crazy about her books. She doesn't just watch them—she lives every moment. Knows every line, hums the music while she cooks, and her eyes glow when she talks about her favorite actors like they're family. And this? This was the moment she'd been waiting for. Her favorite actor. Her favorite actress. On the same screen.

"I can't believe you booked the first show?? How did you get the tickets?" she asked, gripping my hand as we walked toward the theatre.

I winked. "Anything for my wife," I muttered and kissed her temple.

We stepped inside the theatre, her voice filling the quiet space as she chatted nonstop, while I just listened, the grin never leaving her face. When we reached the entrance to the hall, she paused, eyes wide, taking it all in.

"This is... huge but why is it empty though?" she asked, wonder and a hint of confusion in her voice.

I moved ahead of her and eased myself into a seat, feeling the plush cushions beneath me. Leaning back, I watched her take in the space, a slow smile playing on my lips.