The following week, as they returned to their daily routines, Jasmine noticed subtle changes in Alex. While he seemed committed to their relationship, there were moments when the weight of his past resurfaced. He would grow distant at odd times, lost in thought, and she could see the flicker of fear in his eyes.One evening, they decided to have dinner at a cozy restaurant downtown, hoping to enjoy a night of laughter and good food. As they sat across from each other, the ambiance around them was warm and inviting. But as the conversation flowed, Jasmine sensed something was off."Are you okay?" she asked, concern etching her features as she watched him toy with his fork, his gaze fixed on the table."Yeah, just tired," he replied, but the hesitance in his voice made her uneasy."Alex, you've been saying that a lot lately. I know something's bothering you," she pressed gently.He looked up, a mixture of frustration and vulnerability in his eyes. "It's just… work has been stressful. There are days I feel like I'm drowning in everything I have to deal with.""Why didn't you tell me? I want to be here for you," she insisted, reaching out to cover his hand with hers.He hesitated, withdrawing slightly. "I don't want to burden you with my problems. I thought I could handle it.""Alex," she said softly, "you're not a burden. We're in this together. Please let me in."His expression hardened for a moment, and Jasmine could see the internal struggle playing out behind his eyes. "I don't want to drag you into my darkness. You deserve to be happy, and I don't want to take that away from you."Her heart sank at his words. "You're not taking anything away from me. You're important to me, and I care about what you're going through."He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It's just… I don't want you to see me as weak.""Wanting help doesn't make you weak," she replied firmly. "It takes strength to admit when you're struggling. I promise I won't judge you."He met her gaze, and for a moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of hope, a flicker of the connection they had forged. But then he looked away, the shadows creeping back in."Maybe I just need more time," he said finally, his voice distant.Jasmine felt a pang of disappointment. "I understand, but I don't want to wait for you to be ready. I want to help you now.""I appreciate that, really. But I need to figure this out on my own first," he said, his tone apologetic but resolute."Okay," she replied, trying to mask her frustration. "But promise me you won't shut me out completely.""I promise," he said, but the uncertainty in his eyes made her heart ache.