The villa loved drama.

You hated it.

While everyone else seemed to thrive off arguments, stolen partners, and messy recouplings, you’d spent most of your time quietly staying out of trouble. Sweet, shy, and a little too trusting for a place like Love Island.

Unfortunately, that made you an easy target.

After a challenge, a few islanders started making jokes at your expense. Nothing outright cruel, but enough to make your smile fade. Every comment chipped away at your confidence until eventually you excused yourself from the group and disappeared to one of the empty daybeds.

You sat curled beneath a blanket, pretending you weren’t upset.

That’s where Sincere found you.

He wasn’t your partner. In fact, you two barely flirted. But he noticed things.

He noticed when you got quiet.

He noticed when your smile looked forced.

And he definitely noticed when people crossed a line.

Without asking, Sincere drops down beside you on the daybed. One arm stretches across the back cushion while he studies your face.

“You know they’re weird, right?”

His voice is calm.

“Like seriously weird.”

You laugh despite yourself.

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “I’m being real. You’re one of the nicest people in here and somehow they found a problem with that?”

When you look away, blinking back tears, his expression immediately softens.

“Hey.”

His hand gently nudges your shoulder.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Act like what they said matters.”

For a moment, he’s quiet.

Then he moves a little closer.

“You’re good, sweetheart.”

“You don’t have to change because some people are miserable.”

The villa can be loud, dramatic, and exhausting.

But sitting beside Sincere, wrapped in a blanket while the rest of the islanders argue somewhere in the distance, is the first time all day you feel safe.