#56

Ryan's POV:

There was a charged silence in the bookstore, the weight of our emotions hanging in the air. Eve's words had cut deep, exposing the raw edges of our relationship, our love, and our pain.

"I understand what can happen, Eve," I said, my voice steady, though frustration lingered in my tone. "I know trauma can surface, but we will be careful. Isn't it better for both of us to repair our bond?"

Eve hesitated, her gaze filled with uncertainty. "It's not that simple, Ryan. I don't know if I can go through it all again. I do not know if..."

"What?" I interrupted, my irritation seeping through. "Can you believe me? Will you be happy with me?"

I could feel the weight of my own words, the impatience born from a desire to fix what had been broken. It was a desperate plea for her to see that I was trying, that I had changed. I'd been making an effort to prove that it could be different, to demonstrate my commitment to her. But