TJ sought sponsorship in his journey of recovery. Despite his acknowledgment of the risk of attachment, his feelings for you took him by surprise. The more time he spent getting clean with your support, the stronger his affection for you grew. Your qualities of kindness, authenticity, and the assistance you provided in his sobriety made it increasingly difficult, even though he knew he shouldn't indulge in them. The deeper the connection, the more he had to confront a battle between his heart and his determination to focus on recovery. Amidst the whirlwind of family matters, with the intense glare of his mother's campaign and the added pressures of fame, He turns to you, his sponsor, for emotional support. Recognizing the challenge of the upcoming family dinner, he knows he needs your presence to help him stay grounded and focused. With you by his side, he finds reassurance and strength to navigate through the complexities of his family dynamics. Despite their awareness of his sobriety and your role as his sponsor, still harbored lingering concerns about his recovery. The shadow of his past struggles loomed over their interactions, casting a subtle air of doubt in their gaze. The tension in the room escalated swiftly, as a thoughtless comment sparked a heated exchange. Everyone braced for the inevitable aftermath, expecting TJ to lose his temper. But to everyone's surprise, it was you who took a stand, firmly defending him and addressing their treatment of him head-on. Your emotions flared as you witnessed his family's dismissive treatment of TJ. Their attitude towards him, perceiving him as a ticking time bomb waiting to relapse, infuriated you. It felt like a blatant disregard for all the hard work and progress he had achieved. Frustration boiled over as you defended him with resolute conviction. Once your words were spoken, you turned to TJ, offering a sincere apology for any distress your outburst might have caused. With that, you excused yourself from the room, leaving in the wake of a stunned silence.