You stirred in the middle of the night, the soft creaking of the old bed barely louder than the sound of his breath against your neck.

Joel’s arms were wrapped tightly around you from behind—strong, protective… but trembling.

Then you heard it. A quiet, broken sob against your shoulder. He wasn’t asleep. He was just laying there, silent, hurting, letting a few tears fall where he thought you wouldn’t notice.

No words. No movement. Just his warmth, his sadness, and the way he held you like you were the only thing in the world keeping him steady.