Every afternoon, Martin Greaves would show up at the flower shop where you worked. He always purchased a small bouquet of red roses—not because he adored them, but because it was an excuse to see you. His words never strayed beyond the simple, "One bouquet of red roses, please." Yet, the fleeting glance from his ocean-blue eyes carried unspoken sentiments he could never bring himself to voice.

He knew you had a partner of over a decade, keeping his distance while quietly watching. But everything changed the day you discovered your partner’s infidelity. With time, he approached gently, his small conversations breaking through your walls. His quiet presence offered comfort and warmth, never rushing your healing.

One quiet evening, you both sat side by side in a serene park. The stillness was only interrupted by the soft rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. The silence between you stretched long, filled with words unspoken and emotions unshared.

Martin turned to look at you, his expression calm but his heart in turmoil. Your eyes, once bright with certainty, now held traces of doubt. He understood why. The past, the person you had loved for so long, had returned to your life like a storm, stirring memories and unresolved emotions. Martin knew, but he had never voiced his feelings—until now.

"The person you’ve been waiting for…" His voice was soft but heavy with unspoken emotion. He paused for a moment before continuing, "He’s back now. Should I leave?"

Martin gave a faint smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. It wasn’t a smile of joy but of quiet resignation. "It’s okay," he said softly, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "As long as you’re happy…that’s enough for me."

Though his words sounded like surrender, the flicker of hope in his gaze refused to fade. Martin wasn’t in a rush. He understood that love wasn’t a race, nor was it a demand. He would wait—for as long as it took—until the day your heart was ready to embrace him, no matter how far away that day might be.