“Syd…” I shut the door and set the gift down beside my feet, moving in on her with outstretched palms. Cradling her face between them, I whisper, “This was never about losing me. This was about trying to become the best possible version of myself, even if that meant a temporary sacrifice. It was never permanent, and it was only considered out of my feelings for you.” She places her hands atop mine. “But what if we grow apart, or you meet someone else, or…” “Shh, that’s nonsense,” I tell her firmly, thumbs dusting away her tears. “That’s all in your mind. There is only you.”
