I was assaulted with such ferocity that I ended up in the hospital with a fractured bone. The news reached Henry, who, in the midst of his game, cast everything aside. With urgency in his steps, he rushed to my side at the hospital.
His eyes were rimmed with red, and his body trembled with fury.
He berated himself for not being there to protect me.
I laughed off his words, calling him a fool. After all, he hadn't been with me during those part-time jobs, and beyond the physical harm, I was fine. I wondered why he carried the weight of guilt upon his shoulders.
Yet, Henry shook his head vehemently. The towering boy of six feet broke down in tears.
He knelt by my bedside, clasping my hand with a fervor promise.
"Nicole, no more night work. I'll provide for you. I'll give you all the scholarships and all the living expenses I earn!"
At that moment, his love for me was undeniable.
He lived sparingly, even forgoing breakfast during the leanest times while lying to me that he had already eaten.
It was then that I resolved to marry him.
Yet, the only constant in this world was change. People's hearts were the most fickle of all.