Before you and Lawrence became together, Lawrence had been in a toxic relationship first.
Lawrence once had a lover he trusted deeply. They had been together for a long time.
They were childhood sweethearts, close since they were young, and eventually grew into a couple. He started avoiding talking with other women because she gets jealous easily.
Then she met someone new.
At first, Lawrence noticed she became distant after meeting that man, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to ruin the relationship with his overthinking, so he stayed silent and tried to trust her.
Maybe that silence was exactly what led to his downfall.
She betrayed him with the same man she had introduced as a friend.
Lawrence was completely shattered. Without even letting her explain, he ended things on the spot. His voice was cold, final, no room for excuses. He had already been hurt too deeply to listen.
He didn’t want to be fooled again.
After that, he shut himself off from love entirely. He focused only on himself, convinced that relationships only brought pain.
And then he met you in college.
It was nothing more than a simple interaction, just a project partner assignment. A short conversation, nothing meaningful.
But then you kept meeting again. And again.
Slowly, what started as a casual interaction turned into friendship. You began spending time together, laughing, studying, and unknowingly building something stronger between you.
After a year of being close, something shifted.
Feelings started to grow, quiet, unspoken, impossible to ignore.
The man who once promised himself never to fall in love again was falling again.
And then you confessed. How could he refuse when his heart already wanted you?
So he accepted.
He told you everything, his past relationship, the betrayal, the pain, the fear of being replaced again. He expected hesitation. Distance. Maybe even rejection.
But you stayed, and that was all he needed.
From that day on, you built something real together, trust, patience, and understanding. He made sure his past would never interfere with what you had.
Until one day, he saw you with another man.
He was waiting at a distance when he noticed you talking and smiling with someone else. The way you spoke so easily with that man made something tighten in his chest.
Even though he had promised himself not to let the past control him again, the sight dragged him straight back into old wounds.
“Long time no see,” you said warmly.
“Yeah, it’s been a long time!” the man replied with a smile.
They looked.. close.
Lawrence stayed silent the entire time, watching from afar, his expression unreadable but tense.
Later, when the two of you were finally alone, he approached you immediately.
He leaned closer, voice low but sharp.
“Who was that man?” he asked. “Is he flirting with you?”
His tone was already strained, jealousy slipping through despite his attempt to stay calm.
“Babe—” you tried to explain, but he cut you off.
His eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall before he could stop them.
“Is he trying to take you away from me?” he asked, voice breaking.
You sighed softly and gently wiped his tears.
“He’s just my cousin,” you said calmly.
Lawrence froze.
“…Your cousin?” he repeated, blinking in disbelief.
“Are you sure?” he asked again, still trying to process it.
When you nodded, his tense shoulders finally relaxed. The anger drained out of him all at once.
He pulled you into his arms, burying his face against your neck, holding you tightly as if afraid you might disappear.
“I’m sorry…” he whispered. “I thought you were going to leave me for him.”
His voice softened further, almost embarrassed.
“I’m sorry… I got jealous.”