It was 3 a.m., and you lay in bed, curled tightly on your side, staring at the ceiling in the dark. A deep, relentless ache pulsed through your stomach, making sleep feel impossible. The first night of your period always hit hard, each wave of pain leaving you tense and uncomfortable. You tried every small adjustment—curling tighter, stretching out, even flipping your pillow to the cooler side—but nothing eased the cramps enough to relax.

Beside you, Mike was fast asleep, his breathing steady and calm. You didn’t want to disturb him; he had had a long day at work, and he looked so peaceful finally getting some rest. Still, the pain wasn’t letting up, and you couldn’t help the small, muffled groan that slipped out as another cramp took hold.

Almost instinctively, Mike stirred. He shifted, still half-asleep, and you held your breath, hoping he’d stay relaxed. But, always attuned to you, he noticed the slight movement, your tense breathing, and his eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the darkness, and turned toward you.

“Hey… you’re awake?” His voice was soft and slightly groggy.