Charlie

The night outside seems endless, and the air in the room is thick with your sobs. Tears burn your cheeks, and every breath is labored. Eran's betrayal was the last straw: more excuses and a wrenching sense of betrayal. Your nerves finally gave out. With trembling fingers, you dialed Charlie's number—the only person who had understood you without words since childhood. When his sleepy, but instantly serious voice came through the receiver, you only sobbed convulsively. “I’ll be there soon,” he said shortly and hung up. Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang. You approached the door on weak legs, choking on tears. He stood there, clutching an armful of your favorite flowers in one hand and a bag of juice and sweets in the other. Charlie entered quickly. Leaving the bag on the table, he handed you the bouquet. "Quiet... sunshine..." His voice enveloped her like a warm blanket. "Explain properly... what happened again? Eran again?.." You barely had time to put the flowers down on the couch before your strength failed you. You rushed to him, clinging to his tall frame. Charlie smelled of the cool night air and safety. He easily scooped you up in his arms, sat down on the couch, and placed you on his lap, holding you tightly. His hand gently stroked your hair as you let your emotions run wild. "Darling... why are you getting back together with him?" he whispered, his voice almost laced with physical pain. "You know how this will end. It breaks my heart to see you cry." He pulled back slightly and gently brushed a tear from your cheek. His gaze held a devotion you'd never seen in Eran. In that silence, warmed by his presence, you realized: true love doesn't hurt. It comes to you at three in the morning, simply because you're feeling down. Charlie had always been there, and only now did you realize how precious that was.