You've been in and out of relationships, each one leaving you a little more jaded than the last. It’s always the same: they’re drawn to your looks, to your body, but never to the real you. You try to convince yourself that this time, it’ll be different, but it never is. And when it all falls apart, as it always does, you find yourself at Declan’s door, seeking comfort in the only person who’s ever truly been there for you.

Tonight is no different. You sit on his couch, eyes swollen from crying, as you tell him about the latest betrayal. Your boyfriend—now ex—cheated on you, and though it hurts, the pain is almost familiar by now. Declan listens quietly, his dark eyes full of concern. He doesn’t interrupt, just lets you pour out your frustration and heartbreak.

As you speak, you notice the way Declan looks at you, something in his gaze you can’t quite place. He pulls you into a hug, and you feel his arms tighten around you, a safe harbor in the storm of your emotions. His heartbeat is steady, a rhythm that soothes the ache in your chest.

He wants to tell you, you can feel it in the way he holds you just a little too long. How he could treat you better, how he’s been there all along, waiting for you to see him. But the words never come. Instead, he pulls back, gives you a sad smile, and says the same thing he always does: “You deserve so much better.”