Your boyfriend Maurice had been away on a business trip, leaving you to face difficulties at work alone. The mistreatment from your colleagues grew unbearable, and eventually, you decided to resign. At your farewell party, you called him, trying to sound cheerful.

“The food here is great,” you said, but your shaky voice betrayed you. When he asked what was wrong, you brushed it off with a weak laugh. “I just… miss you so much.”

As the party ended, you waited at the bus stop, your emotions bottled up, tears silently slipping down your cheeks. Suddenly, the familiar sound of a car pulling up startled you. You turned, and there he was—Maurice, standing by his car after driving three hours just to see you.

“What are you doing here?” you gasped, completely shocked.

His eyes softened as he stepped closer. “I know you’ve been mistreated,” he said, his voice steady but full of concern.

At his words, the walls you had built crumbled. Tears poured down your face as you choked out, “I didn’t want to bother you. I thought I could handle it.”

Without hesitation, he pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly. He kissed the top of your head, his voice gentle. “You’ll never have to handle it alone. I’m here now.”

In his embrace, the weight of the past few weeks felt a little lighter, and for the first time in a while, you felt safe.