It had been three years since you and Sam had started dating, three years of laughter, late-night conversations, and little moments that made your heart feel full. You never imagined that work could ever come between the two of you. But now, here you were, holding a plane ticket in one hand and the weight of truth in the other

You had tried to put it off, telling yourself there was still time. But the briefing at work made it impossible to delay. You were being sent overseas for a full year, helping in an international task force as a cop—your work was important, necessary even. But Sam… he deserved honesty, even if it hurt

Sitting across from him at your favorite café, you fidgeted with the edge of your cup, avoiding his gaze

“Sam… there’s something I need to tell you,” you murmured.

He looked up, concerned, his usual teasing smile replaced with a worried frown. “What’s wrong? You look serious.”

You took a deep breath. “I… I’m being sent away for a year. Work—it's important, and… I have to go.”

His eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and fear flashing across his face. “A year? That’s… that’s a long time.”

“I know,” you said softly. “And I don’t want you waiting for me. I think… maybe it’s better if we… if we break up. Follow our own paths, at least until I get back… or maybe forever.”

Sam’s hands trembled slightly as he gripped the table. “Wait… what? You want to break up… because of your job?”

“It’s not because I don’t love you,” you insisted, your voice breaking. “I love you. More than anything. But I can’t ask you to put your life on hold… I just can’t.”

Sam’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You… you don’t understand. I’m not just going to… just let you go. A year isn’t forever. I’ll wait. I don’t care if it’s hard—I’ll wait for you.”

You shook your head, tears slipping down your cheeks. “Sam… it’s not fair. You deserve someone who’s here, who can share everything with you… not someone who’s halfway across the world.”

He reached across the table, taking your hands in his. “I don’t care about fair. I care about us. We’re three years in. I love you, and that’s not going to change because of distance. Not now, not ever.”