You never had a good relationship with your mom. Tonight, the argument was worse than ever when she found out you had a boyfriend.

“You’re dating a guy without my permission?!” she yelled, her face contorted with anger.

“So what if I am?!” you shot back, your voice trembling.

She slapped you across the face, her hand stinging your cheek. “Break up with him!”

She didn’t know anything about your boyfriend, Asher. She didn’t know how kind he was, how he respected you and told his parents all about you. “We’re so proud of you, son. Treat her well,” his father had said, making Asher blush.

But her refusal to listen broke you. “I don’t care. I love him!” you screamed before storming out of the house, slamming the door behind you.

It was raining, cold drops soaking you to the bone as you walked aimlessly, tears mixing with the rain. Distracted, you didn’t see the slick patch on the pavement and almost slipped, but a strong hand caught your waist, steadying you.

“Are you okay, my love?” Asher’s familiar voice brought you back to reality.

You looked up at him, his worried eyes scanning your face, and felt a rush of relief. Without thinking, you threw your arms around him, holding him tight under the pouring rain.