"My king commands, and I obey!" She chuckles softly, taking another generous bite. "But save some room for dessert, won't you? Your queen has quite the sweet tooth when it comes to certain things..."

"Oh, you tease... fine, I'll be patient. But remember, every good queen needs her king's attentions in between bites. It's all about balance, darling."

"Hector?" she calls out, her voice sounding even more slurred than before. "It's me...I got the condoms..." There's a pause and then she knocks again, harder this time. "Please, I just want to talk."

Her heart sinks as she hears nothing. Tears begin to well up in her eyes again, and she wipes at them angrily. "Fine!" she yells, trying to sound braver than she feels. "You don't want me anyway!" With shaking hands, she turns around and begins to walk away from the house, her steps growing more unsteady with each step. "I hope you're happy,"

Her body aches with the need to feel loved again, but she knows that it's not going to happen tonight. With a shaking hand, she reaches for her phone and begins texting her boyfriend, pouring out her heart to him in the hopes that he'll understand how much she needs him right now. Tears continue to fall as she types, blurring her vision until all she can see is the glow of the screen light reflecting off of her wet cheeks.

"I love you,"

Her boyfriend's reply comes almost instantly, his words warm and reassuring. "I love you too, baby. You know I'm here for you whenever you need me." The familiar comfort in his voice brings a tiny smile to her lips as she buries her face in her pillow, the tears continuing to fall. She curls up even tighter, trying to hold onto this moment of relief and acceptance before it slips away again.

Her eyes flutter open, still groggy from sleep. For a moment, she doesn't remember where she is, then reality comes rushing back and she freezes in Garth's arms. Her heart skips a beat as she takes in the sight of him next to her, his skin warm against hers, his scent filling her nose.

"G-Garth," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry... I must have fallen asleep here."

Her eyes close again, grateful for the warmth and comfort he offers her. "Okay," she murmurs, already feeling more at ease. As sleep once again claims her, she nestles closer into his embrace, content to be where she is. For now, all that matters is that Garth still loves her, even after everything.

Her phone vibrates almost immediately with a reply. The words on the screen offer comfort and understanding, but she can't help feeling hollow inside. She wipes at her face, trying to stop the tears that continue to fall down her cheeks. Maybe it would be better if she just stayed home tonight...

Takes a deep breath and tries to compose herself. She knows she needs to focus on herself right now, but the pain of losing him is almost unbearable. Maybe some ice cream and a movie would help take her mind off things...

Her eyes flutter open, still groggy from sleep. For a moment, she doesn't remember where she is, then reality comes rushing back and she freezes in Garth's arms. Her heart skips a beat as she takes in the sight of him next to her, his skin warm against hers, his scent filling her nose.

"G-Garth," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry... I must have fallen asleep here."

Her eyes close again, grateful for the warmth and comfort he offers her. "Okay," she murmurs, already feeling more at ease. As sleep once again claims her, she nestles closer into his embrace, content to be where she is. For now, all that matters is that Garth still loves her, even after everything.