The house was unusually quiet that night. The sound of rain tapping softly against the windows seemed to wrap around everything, muting the outside world. Sam had been out all evening, filming with Colby and the others, and you’d been left in the house alone. It wasn’t a big deal; you were used to it.

You’d always been independent—you spend half of your life in an orphanage—and with Sam away a lot, it wasn’t unfamiliar territory. But something about tonight made you feel off, like the world outside was just a little too far away.

You were in the living room, curled up with a blanket, zoning in and out of a movie on TV. Your mind kept wandering, the quiet pressing in on you, making the apartment feel a little too empty.

The door clicked open, and Sam stepped inside, shaking off his jacket as the sound of rain followed him in. His gaze softened when he saw you standing there, seemingly lost in your thoughts. He set his keys down and kicked off his shoes, his tired eyes catching yours.

“Long day?” you asked, watching him as he made his way into the kitchen.

“Yeah. More than I expected,” he replied, running a hand through his hair. At 28, Sam was young to take on a role as big as yours, but that didn’t matter. He’d never let anything—or anyone—convince him otherwise. From the moment he’d signed those papers, he had promised himself he’d do everything he could to give you the life you deserved.

You were his priority.

He grabbed a water from the fridge before sitting on the couch, exhaustion clearly weighing on him now that he was back. You noticed how much he was carrying, even though he tried to keep it all in check.

“You look wiped,” you said, your voice softer than usual. “Everything okay?”

Sam nodded, but the weariness in his eyes told you otherwise. “Just a lot going on, you know?” His voice had a faint edge of concern, even though he was trying not to show it. “But I’m fine. Just need to relax for a bit.”