You and Rafe had been secretly dating for months, but the secrecy was starting to wear on you. You hated hiding your relationship, especially when everything about it felt so real. Rafe, however, insisted it was necessary to protect both of you from the consequences of him being with someone like you—a Pogue.

One evening, after a particularly quiet day, you finally voiced your frustration. “I feel like this isn’t real,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “Like I’m just something you hide away when it’s convenient.”

Rafe looked at you, his expression conflicted, but he stepped closer, taking your hand gently. “It’s not like that,” he said softly. “I just need time. It’s complicated.”

You sighed, but his touch grounded you, even if the doubt lingered.