Life moved forward, but beneath the surface, Jasmine felt a storm brewing. As the months passed, the distance that had once been a quiet whisper began to grow louder. Alex's demons returned, rising to the surface with a ferocity that left her feeling helpless.One night, he arrived at her apartment looking worn and weary, his eyes dark with unshed tears. "Jasmine, I can't do this anymore," he said, his voice cracking.She felt her heart drop. "Do what? What do you mean?""This… us. I can't keep dragging you into my darkness. I'm not the man you deserve.""Alex, please," she pleaded, stepping closer. "Don't say that. We can face this together. We've talked about this."He shook his head, stepping back. "You don't understand. The things I've seen, the things I've done… they haunt me. I don't want to pull you down with me."The weight of his words hit her like a physical blow. "You're not dragging me down. You're the one I love, and I want to help you. But I can't if you keep pushing me away.""I don't want to lose you, but I can't keep putting you in danger either," he said, his voice filled with anguish."Danger? What are you talking about?" she asked, fear creeping into her voice.He hesitated, his eyes flickering with pain. "My job… it's not just about saving lives. Sometimes, I can't save everyone. I've made mistakes, and I don't want you to be collateral damage."Tears filled her eyes as she processed his words. "Alex, I'm not afraid of your past. I'm afraid of losing you. Don't shut me out."He looked at her, and in that moment, she saw the struggle within him—the desire to protect her clashing with his need for connection. But instead of reaching for her, he took another step back, creating a chasm that felt insurmountable."Maybe… maybe it's best if we take a break," he said, his voice hollow.The words cut through her like a knife. "A break?" she echoed, her heart racing. "Is that what you really want?""I don't know what I want," he admitted, anguish etched on his face. "But I can't keep doing this to you."She shook her head, feeling the tears spill over. "You're not doing anything to me. I love you, Alex. I want to fight for us.""I can't let you," he said, the finality in his voice leaving no room for argument. "It's too dangerous."With those words, he turned and walked out, leaving her standing there, her heart shattering as the door closed behind him.