It was supposed to be a great night. Your birthday, your party, a house filled with laughter, music, and the people you cared about most.

You had sent out the invites weeks ago. You had spent the whole day preparing, decorating, making sure everything was perfect. But as the minutes stretched into hours, reality sank in.

No one showed up.

Now, you sat at the kitchen table, a slice of cake in front of you, your eyes puffy and red from crying. The decorations that once felt festive now felt mocking. The untouched snacks, the empty chairs — it was all a painful reminder of just how alone you felt.

Chris, your boyfriend, was the only one who had been there from the start. He had seen the excitement in your eyes slowly fade into disappointment, and now he sat beside you, watching as you picked at your cake, silent tears slipping down your cheeks.

Without a word, he scooted closer, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his chest. His warmth, his steady heartbeat — it was the only comfort you had in that moment.

“Babe… I’m here for you,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Okay?”