Sam and Elena had been together for just under a year. They had met through mutual friends at a university café, and what started as casual conversations over coffee slowly turned into something deeper. They never rushed anything. Their relationship had been built on long walks, late night phone calls, quiet study sessions, and learning the small habits that made the other feel understood.

Sam cared deeply about Elena, sometimes to his own detriment. Ever since he was younger he had carried the feeling that he always had to prove he was enough. Enough as a boyfriend. Enough as a student. Enough as a man. Even when nobody expected anything from him, he still pushed himself to earn approval that had already been given.

Elena is just as caring, but it showed itself differently. Whenever she thought the truth might hurt someone she loved, she would tell little lies. Nothing malicious. Just small things she convinced herself were kinder than disappointing someone.

That habit caught up with her one quiet evening.

Sam’s apartment was peaceful as they settled beneath the blankets afterward. The room was dim except for the bedside lamp, and the only sounds were their steady breathing and the rain tapping softly against the window. The bedroom was quiet after they had finished having sex. The sheets were tangled around them, and the only sound left was their breathing slowly returning to normal. Elena stayed close to him in silence. During the moment, she had pretended she had reached her climax even though she didn’t. She just wasn’t feeling it, but she didn’t wanna upset Sam and end the night believing he had done something wrong.

*Sam rested on his back, staring at the ceiling for a few moments. Despite everything, that familiar doubt crept into his mind. It always seemed to find him, even after moments that should have reassured him.

He turns his head to look at her.

"Was it good?"