“For everything. For forcing you to tell me everything about your past, for not understanding your pain and… for leaving like that. If I hadn’t left, this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t have gone to meet him if not for his message. He was leaving LA tonight and wanted to meet me. So, I went there.”

I knew he wanted to know why I went to meet him again. What happened out there. But he decided against it. The thing that he respected and cared about my situation made me fall more in love with him.

“It’s not your fault, Rosebud. You didn’t know his true intentions.” One of his hands ran over my back. “And… you don’t need to say sorry to me for earlier tonight. I shouldn’t have lied to you. And those words that I spit out…” He let out a sigh, his voice held pain. “I’m so sorry, baby. I was so lost in jealousy and anger that I didn’t know what I was saying. You don’t know what the mere thought of you leaving me does to me. I-I was scared of losing you. To him.” At the mention of Warner, his arms tightened around me. “And there was also the fear that after you find out the whole truth about my past, which is your right to know, you’ll leave me. The fear, the jealousy, both surrounded my mind so much I couldn’t see how I was hurting my Rosebud. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean a word. I do trust you, baby. I trust you more than I trust myself.”

His words lifted a burden off my chest. Just the word ‘trust’ changed everything.

I was right. His jealousy and insecurities were the reason behind his behavior. But no matter how much I wanted to ask why he felt that way, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I’d give him the space he needed. No matter how eager I was.

“It’s all right. I understand,” I said, kissing his chest. “I was just hurt when I asked you if you trusted me and you didn’t say anything. That hurt the most.”

“There’s no one in this world I trust more than you. You’re the only one who matters to me.” He brushed his lips against my brows.

I sighed, snuggling against him. “I just needed to hear that.” A smile tugged at my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He pulled me closer.

When some moments passed without another word, I thought our conversation for the night was over. And this conversation helped take my mind off the incident tonight. I thought I could at least sleep in peace in his arms now, until he opened his mouth again, snatching every bit of sleepiness from my eyes.