Damian pulled back instantly, his face full of worry and guilt. Melissa's distress struck him harder than anything else. As he slipped on his shorts, his voice softened, trembling slightly with concern.
"Did I… did I hurt you, Melissa? I'm so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” he whispered, the words thick and unsteady as he watched Melissa’s shoulders tremble, her silent tears falling.
Melissa’s voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. “It’s not you, Damian… It’s me. It’s all me.” Her words faltered, heavy with something Damian couldn’t quite understand.
He longed to say more, to ask what was haunting her, but the vulnerability in her eyes warned him to be gentle.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, feeling her head rest on his shoulder. “Don’t go hard on yourself, Melissa.
