I woke up before him.
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Or maybe… he just didn't make a sound when he left the bed.
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That was Ethan.
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Quiet. Careful.
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Like he didn't want to disturb my world—
even though he was already a part of it.
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The smell of something warm drifted in from the kitchen.
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I frowned slightly.
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That was new.
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I stepped out of the room and stopped at the doorway.
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Ethan stood there, sleeves rolled up, focused on the pan in front of him.
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He didn't notice me at first.
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For a moment… I just watched.
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"You're up."
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His voice broke the silence.
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"I didn't hear you wake up," I said.
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"I didn't want to wake you."
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Of course.
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He turned off the stove and placed a plate on the table.
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Simple breakfast. Eggs. Toast.
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Nothing fancy.
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"I wasn't sure what you like," he admitted.
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"So I just made something simple."
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I walked over slowly.
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"You didn't have to."
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"I wanted to."
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Again.
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The same answer.
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I sat down anyway.
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The food was… good.
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Better than I expected.
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But I didn't say it.
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"It's okay," I said instead.
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I saw it again—
that small pause in his eyes.
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"…Okay."
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He sat across from me, not eating much.
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Just watching.
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Not in a strange way…
but like he was trying to understand me.
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It made me uncomfortable.
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"Do you always cook?" I asked, breaking the silence.
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"Not really."
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"Then why now?"
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A short pause.
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"…I thought you might like it."
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I looked down at my plate.
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I didn't answer.
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After breakfast, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
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"I'll go first."
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"I'll send you."
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"No need."
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"I'm heading the same way."
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I almost said no again.
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But something in his tone stopped me.
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"…Fine."
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The car ride was quiet.
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Like always.
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Ethan kept his eyes on the road.
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Both hands steady on the wheel.
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"You can tell me if there's anything you need," he said suddenly.
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"I'm fine."
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"Anything. It doesn't have to be big."
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I let out a small breath.
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"I said I'm fine, Ethan."
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Silence.
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"…Alright."
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When the car stopped, I reached for the door immediately.
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"Ariana."
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I paused.
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"…Take care."
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I didn't look at him.
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"You too."
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I stepped out and closed the door.
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The car didn't move right away.
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I knew he was still there.
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Waiting… just in case I turned back.
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But I didn't.
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That night, I came home later than usual.
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The lights were still on.
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Ethan was sitting on the couch, laptop open, tie loosened.
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He looked tired.
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But the moment he saw me—
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he straightened slightly.
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"You're back."
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"Mm."
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"I ordered dinner."
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"I already ate."
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A lie.
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But I didn't feel like sitting across from him again.
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"…Alright."
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He didn't question it.
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I walked past him, heading to the room—
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then stopped.
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"Ethan."
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He looked up immediately.
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"Yes?"
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I hesitated.
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For a second… I almost said thank you.
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For the breakfast.
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For trying.
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But the words didn't come out.
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"…Nothing."
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I turned and walked away.
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Behind me,
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the silence felt heavier than before.
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And for the first time—
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I had a strange feeling…
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that no matter how hard Ethan tried—
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I was the one slowly breaking something…
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that I didn't even understand yet.
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