The next morning, Nick woke later than usual, an anomaly that instantly put him on edge. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over his room as he stretched lazily in bed. His gaze flickered to the clock, and he was surprised that his mother hadn't come to wake him. The house was unusually quiet, devoid of its usual morning hum. He frowned slightly, wondering if he had missed something important, but as the remnants of sleep faded, his thoughts drifted to the one person who had occupied his mind more than anything else—Candice.
Her delicate features flashed through his memory—those wide, expressive eyes that always betrayed her emotions, even when she tried to hide them. The soft, uncertain smile she gave him last night replayed in his mind like a song he couldn't shake. She had endured so much, and his heart clenched at the thought of doing something—anything—to make her feel cherished. A spontaneous idea took root, and before he could second-guess himself, he decided. He was going to buy her a dress. Something beautiful, something that would make her feel as breathtaking as she truly was.
Without hesitation, he jumped out of bed, showered quickly, and dressed with a new sense of purpose. The thought of seeing her smile, of watching her eyes light up, sent a thrill through him that he couldn't explain. A spontaneous idea sparked within me, and before I could second-guess myself, I decided to buy her a dress. Something beautiful and comfortable. Something that would make her feel as breathtaking as she truly was.
I wasted no time. After a quick shower, I dressed and headed out, my determination fueled by the thought of seeing her smile.
By the time he returned, clutching the neatly wrapped package, excitement bubbled in his chest.
But the moment he stepped into his room, all that anticipation crashed into disappointment.
The bed was neatly made, the blanket folded with precision—but Candice was nowhere in sight. His stomach dropped. Had she left? Without saying goodbye?
A hollow feeling settled in his chest as he set the package down on the bed. He took a deep breath and followed the faint sounds of conversation drifting from the kitchen. The soft melody of laughter stopped him in his tracks. His breath hitched as he recognized that sweet, familiar voice.
Peeking around the corner, he saw her.
The morning light filtered softly through the window, its golden rays cascading over Candice as she stood in the center of the kitchen. The dress she wore hung loosely on her petite frame, its oversized fabric draping in a way that accentuated her delicate figure. The dress didn't belong to her—it was his. And in that moment, Nick could do nothing but stare, captivated by the way she carried it, by the effortless grace with which she made something of his entirely her own. His pulse quickened, his breath catching as the sight of her stole something from him—maybe his composure, maybe something deeper.
For a long moment, he remained motionless, simply absorbing the image before him. The way the soft light bathed Candice made her look almost ethereal, as though she belonged to a world far gentler than the one he knew. His mother's laughter echoed through the room, warm and familiar, a sound that had always signified comfort. But today, it was more than that. It was a bridge between past and present, a sign of something new taking root.
Candice sat at the kitchen table, hands wrapped around a coffee mug, her face glowing with amusement as she chatted animatedly with his mother. Nick watched as his mother's gaze lingered on Candice, her expression brimming with something unspoken yet profoundly tender. She had always wanted a daughter—someone to dote on, to share in the little joys that only a mother and daughter could. And in Candice, it seemed she had found one in the most unexpected of ways. The realization settled deep in Nick's chest, bringing with it an ache he couldn't quite define.

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Stole My Heart 💕
Short StoryNick raised an eyebrow, then pointed at her before jerking his head toward the door, a silent command. She hesitated, clearly unsure if he was addressing her. He gave a firm nod to confirm. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out...