Chapter 1: Scars That Don’t Fade
Noah Hart used to believe in forever.
He had been in love once—deeply, foolishly. For three years, he built his world around Julian, thinking they were unstoppable.
Until the night he found Julian in someone else’s arms.
The betrayal had shattered something inside him. Trust. Hope. The belief that love could be safe.
Now, a year later, Noah wasn’t the same man. He kept his walls high, his heart guarded. Relationships were nothing more than temporary distractions.
That was, until he met Caleb Rivera.
And for the first time since Julian, Noah felt something he never thought he would again.
Fear.
Because Caleb made him want to believe in love again.
And that? That was terrifying.
Chapter 2: The Man Who Wouldn’t Leave
Noah met Caleb at a bookstore.
He was browsing the psychology section when a voice behind him said, “Overthinking again?”
Noah turned, ready to snap back, only to be met with warm brown eyes and a teasing smirk.
Caleb. The guy he had met at a friend’s party two weeks ago. The guy who kept showing up, always too kind, too patient, too… interested.
Noah rolled his eyes. “I don’t overthink.”
Caleb arched an eyebrow. “Sure. That’s why you’ve been staring at the same book for ten minutes.”
Noah sighed. “Are you always this persistent?”
Caleb grinned. “Only when I see something worth the effort.”
Noah’s heart stuttered.
Because for the first time in a long time, someone was choosing him.
And he didn’t know how to handle it.
Chapter 3: Breaking the Chains
Caleb didn’t push.
He didn’t pry into Noah’s past.
He just… stayed.
He was there on the nights Noah didn’t want company, but somehow ended up craving it anyway. He was there when Noah flinched at affectionate touches, when he hesitated to trust.
And one evening, as they sat by the waterfront, Caleb finally asked the question Noah had been dreading.
“Who hurt you?”
Noah tensed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Caleb nodded, looking out at the waves. “That’s okay.”
Noah blinked. “You’re not going to ask again?”
Caleb smiled softly. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
And in that moment, Noah realized—
Maybe love wasn’t supposed to hurt.
Maybe, just maybe, it could be safe.
Chapter 4: The First Step
It wasn’t easy.
Some nights, the past still whispered in Noah’s ear. You’re not enough. He’ll leave too.
But every time, Caleb was there—showing him, not just telling him, that he wasn’t going anywhere.
And then one night, as they sat in Noah’s apartment, watching a movie neither of them cared about, Noah whispered, “I want to try.”
Caleb turned to him, eyes searching. “Try what?”
Noah swallowed hard. “Us.”
Caleb smiled, taking his hand.
“No rush,” he murmured. “We’ll go at your pace.”
Noah exhaled shakily.
And for the first time in years, he felt free.
Chapter 5: Loving Again
Months passed.
Noah wasn’t perfect. He still had scars.
But now, he didn’t hide them.
And one evening, as he lay beside Caleb, fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin, he whispered something he never thought he would again.
“I love you.”
Caleb stilled. Then, slowly, he smiled.
“I love you too.”
And with that, the past finally let him go.
Epilogue: A Love That Stayed
Noah once thought love was temporary.
That people left.
That hearts weren’t meant to heal.
But Caleb?
Caleb proved him wrong.
And this time, forever didn’t seem so impossible after all.
Leave a Reply