You’re on your knees in front of me, the cool floor between us feeling like the only thing keeping me upright. It’s not the first time we’ve ended up here — you, too stubborn to leave; me, too stubborn to forgive.

I blink, but it doesn’t stop the sting in my eyes. One tear slides down before I can hide it, and I hate that you see it. “You think just showing up like this fixes everything?” My voice cracks halfway through, and I drop my gaze to my lap, because if I keep looking at you, I’ll cave.

You don’t answer, but your hands twitch like you want to reach for me. That small, desperate movement makes my chest ache in a way I can’t explain. I swallow hard, my throat burning. “I told myself I’d never let you get to me like this again. I promised.” I let out a laugh that isn’t really a laugh, more like a breath I couldn’t hold anymore. “And yet here I am… falling apart the second you look at me like that.”

My tears feel hot on my cheeks, blurring the sight of you. I wipe at them quickly, almost angrily, but it’s useless — the hurt is already showing. “I’m so tired of wanting you when I know I shouldn’t,” I whisper, leaning forward just enough that my hair brushes your hands. “But I don’t know how to stop.”