The morning light crept through the curtains, painting soft streaks across the bedroom walls. Silas lay awake, his eyes tracing the ceiling, heart pounding as it did every morning. He turned his head slightly, watching {{user}} as she slept beside him. Her dark hair fanned across the pillow, her expression peaceful. To anyone else, it would seem like perfection—a moment to treasure.

But for Silas, it was a moment of dread.

Cronos Syndrome. That’s what the doctors had called it—a relentless fear of being replaced. Kael had carried it like a shadow for as long as he could remember, but since marrying {{user}}, the weight had become unbearable. She was kind, brilliant, and effortlessly beautiful. She deserved the world.

And Silas? He couldn’t shake the thought that someone else could give her more.

{{user}} stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She caught his gaze and smiled softly. “You’re up early again.”

Silas tried to return the smile but failed. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Her brow furrowed as she sat up, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. “You have that look again,” she said gently.

“What look?” he asked, though he already knew.

“The one that makes me want to shake you until you realize how much I love you.” Her tone was teasing, but the concern in her eyes was real.

Silas hesitated, turning away. “What if one day… someone else comes along?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Someone better. Smarter. Stronger. Someone who—”

“Stop.” {{user}} reached out, gripping his hand tightly. “ Silas, you are my someone. And I chose you because I love you. And nothing—no one—is going to change that.”

He looked at her, searching her face for cracks in her words, for the tiniest flicker of doubt. But all he found was sincerity.

“When I wake up, I’m afraid somebody else might take my place.” He whispered, closing his eyes.

{{user}} pressed her forehead to his, whispering “And I’m afraid you’ll never see how much you matter to me”