Gerald gently guided Aubrey into her apartment, closing the door behind them with a soft click. Aubrey walked to the couch with slow, unsteady steps, her head down, refusing to meet his eyes. She hugged her arms tightly around herself, as if trying to keep from falling apart.
Gerald watched her, his heart aching at the sight. Aubrey wasn’t the type to break down like this. She was always strong, confident, and full of life. But now, sitting on the couch with her body curled in on itself, she looked small, fragile even. He wasn’t used to seeing her like this, and it stirred something deep inside him—something protective, something that made him want to take away all her pain.
He moved closer, sitting beside her, but not too close, giving her space. His hand hovered in the air for a moment before he gently placed it on her shoulder. "Aubrey," he called softly. "What’s going on?"
Aubrey didn’t respond at first. She just sat there, staring blankly at the floor, her fingers gripping the edge of her sleeves so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. Gerald could see her trying to hold it all in, to keep her emotions buried, but he knew it was only a matter of time before everything spilled out.
"It’s... Mason," she finally whispered, her. "I don’t know what to do, Gerald. I don’t know how to feel anymore."
Gerald’s chest tightened at the mention of Mason. Of course, it was always about him. He bit back the frustration that threatened to surface, focusing instead on Aubrey’s pain. She didn’t need him to be angry right now—she needed him to be there for her.
"What about him?" he asked gently, his hand still resting on her shoulder, hoping the simple touch might bring her some comfort.
Aubrey wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, her movements shaky and uncertain. "I met him the other night," she began. "I really believed things would get better. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. He told me to move on. He told me that he wants Ellen."
So Mason’s made up his mind.
Her voice cracked, and she finally turned to look at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "How could he just... forget about me? How could he move on so easily?"
Gerald felt a sharp pang in his chest. He hated seeing her like this—broken, vulnerable, completely wrecked by someone who didn’t deserve her. His hand slid from her shoulder down to her arm, squeezing gently in reassurance. "Aubrey, you’re worth so much more than what he gave you," he said. "You deserve someone who sees that."
Aubrey let out a shaky breath, her shoulders falling as her feelings had become too much to bear. She turned toward him slightly, her eyes searching his, as if looking for something—anything—that would make the pain go away. "I don’t know how to forget about him."
Gerald’s heart twisted. She was still in love with Mason. She was still hurting, and it killed him to see her like this. But more than anything, it killed him to know that, despite everything, she hadn’t realized who had always been there for her.
Taking a deep breath, Gerald shifted closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "Aubrey, you don’t have to go through this alone," he said. "I’m here. I’ve always been here."
She blinked, her brow furrowing slightly, as if confused by his words. "I know," she whispered. "But sometimes... it feels like nothing’s enough."
Gerald’s hand moved to her cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "You’re more than enough, Aubrey," he said softly. "You’re everything. And I hate that he made you feel like you’re not."
Aubrey’s lips trembled, more tears slipping down her cheeks as she stared up at him. "I just... I don’t understand why it hurts so much," she whispered. "Why can’t I let him go?"
Gerald felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to tell her, wanted to shake her and make her see that Mason wasn’t worth it—that he had never been worth it. But instead, he swallowed his frustration and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t fight it, falling into his chest and gripping his shirt like it was her only hope.
For a long moment, they stayed like that—Aubrey crying softly into his chest while Gerald held her. He could feel her pain, her heartbreak, and it was tearing him apart. But as much as he wanted to take away all her suffering, he knew there was only one way she would truly heal.
After what felt like forever, Aubrey’s sobs began to quiet, her breathing evening out as she clung to him. Gerald ran his hand up and down her back, comforting her the only way he knew how. "Aubrey," he called, "I need to tell you something."
She sniffled, pulling back just enough to look at him, her was wet with tears. "What is it?"
Gerald swallowed hard, his heart racing in his chest. This was it. He had to tell her. "Forget about Mason," he begged. "Please... just forget about him."
Aubrey’s eyes widened in surprise, and she opened her mouth to speak, but Gerald didn’t let her.
"I know how much he hurt you," he continued. "And I know it’s hard to let go. But you deserve better, Aubrey. You deserve someone who actually sees you, someone who’s been there for you all along."
"What are you saying, Gerald?"
Gerald took a deep breath. This was it. This was his moment. "I’m saying that I love you, Aubrey," he admitted. "I’ve been in love with you for so long, and it kills me to see you like this."
Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in shock, but Gerald pressed on.
"You’re smart, Aubrey," he said, his voice shaking slightly as he poured his heart out. "I know you’ve always known. I’ve been here, right in front of you, loving you this whole time."