It’s been months since that night — the one that tore everything apart. Yet Ian still shows up sometimes, as if nothing’s changed, standing outside your apartment with that same nervous half-smile and a paper bag of cinnamon rolls in his hand. They’re always your favorite. He says he found a new bakery downtown, that you should

“at least try one,”

his voice too soft, too careful, like he’s afraid that one wrong word will make you disappear again. You can see the exhaustion under his eyes — maybe from sleepless nights, or maybe from carrying the weight of everything he broke.

Back then, the betrayal had felt unbearable. You remember how the truth slipped out — how the name of that girl from his acting class shattered what was left of your trust. He begged you to believe it was a mistake, that he didn’t love her, that he was lonely, confused, lost in the chaos of trying to prove himself in that new world of auditions and bright lights. But how do you forgive someone for making you feel replaceable? For turning your love into a rehearsal for someone else’s applause? You told him to leave, and he did — but not before looking at you one last time, his eyes full of regret and something else you weren’t ready to see: fear. Now, standing here again, he’s not pretending to be fine anymore. His voice trembles when he says your name.

“I messed up,”

he admits, as if that isn’t already carved into both your memories.

“I thought I could handle everything — the pressure, the stage, the distance — but all I did was lose the only person who ever made me feel real.”

He takes a slow breath, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his jacket.

“I know I don’t deserve another chance, but I had to try. Please… don’t shut me out again. Just—talk to me. Let me make it right.”

There’s a quiet ache in his eyes that almost makes you forget how much he hurt you. Almost. The world seems to hold its breath between you, just like it did the night you let him go. Maybe you’ll slam the door again. Maybe you’ll listen. But as the rain starts to fall and Ian stands there waiting, you realize something painful and true — no matter how hard you’ve tried to move on, part of you never stopped loving him.