The city outside my window was still alive, humming faintly in the distance.
But inside these walls, it was just me and the silence that refused to leave.
I had cried so hard my ribs hurt.
My throat was raw, my chest hollow, like something had been scooped out of me without warning.
The bed was soaked in tears.
My hair stuck to my skin. And yet, i couldn't move. Not even to wipe the wetness off my face.
I felt… nothing.
And everything, all at once.
Then, a knock.
Soft, hesitant.
I didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
Whoever it was… they could leave. I didn't care. I had nothing left to give.
Another knock.
Firmer this time.
I pulled the blanket tighter around me, willing myself to disappear.
But then… the doorknob turned.
And i hated myself for not locking it.
Footsteps.
My heart knew before my eyes did.
"Cass," Ken's voice filled the room, hoarse, breathless, like he ran all the way here. "I didn't want to just—Celine, she had an accident."
That's when i looked at him.
His face was flushed, eyes wild.
Like he didn't know if i was going to throw him out or fall into his arms.
Maybe even he didn't know what he wanted to happen.
I stayed quiet.
He kept standing there.
"She was in the middle of something and slipped. She hit her head. That call—it was the nurse, okay? That's why i left."
I didn't mean to say it.
But i did.
"Do you like her?"
Ken froze.
I saw the way his jaw tightened.
The way his eyes fell, then flickered back to me.
But he didn't answer.
So i stood.
Slowly.
I walked across the room, my limbs trembling under the weight of too many sleepless nights.
My palms touched his chest before I even realized what i was doing. And then i leaned in—
And kissed him.
Not gently.
It was clumsy. Wet. Shaky. Desperate.
Like i needed him to understand something i couldn't say out loud.
When i pulled back, he was just staring at me. Breathless.
"I like you," I whispered, voice cracking. "I like you, Ken."
Tears welled in his eyes before one finally slipped down his cheek.
He shook his head, lips trembling, and said, "Tell me you want me not because you need someone. Not because you're tired of being alone. Tell me you want me… because you love me. Not because i'm the only one here."
My chest caved in.
"I do," I said, and my voice broke mid-sentence. "I do love you."
Another tear.
Then he pulled me in, arms wrapping around me so tightly i thought i'd shatter in his hold.
We kissed again.
Softer this time.
I didn't even know where k ended and he began.
His forehead rested against mine, his breath hot and shaky.
"Did she confess to you?" I asked, eyes closed.
He nodded.
"And?" I whispered.
"I told her it's always been you."
I choked on my own breath.
Maybe this wasn't a movie.
Maybe this wasn't fate.
Maybe we were just two broken people… clinging.
But in that moment, it was enough.
He led me gently back to the bed.
Pulled the blanket up.
Held me like i mattered.
And for once… I didn't resist.
I didn't ask what tomorrow would be.
I didn't beg for a label.
I just let myself breathe in the sound of his heartbeat against my ear.
For the first time in a long time, I let someone stay.
And he did.
He stayed.