Debbie hesitated at the doorstep of Pasco's family
home in Phnom Penh. He had invited her over for
dinner to "start fresh," as he had put it. But standing
there, she couldn't ignore the flood of memories—
both sweet and bitter—that threatened to overwhelm her. The door swung open before she could knock, and
there he was: Pasco, wearing a crisp white shirt and that same boyish grin she had fallen for years ago.
"You came," he said softly, stepping aside to let her
in.
"I said I would," Debbie replied, her voice steady,
though her heart raced.The house smelled of warm spices and home-cooked food. Pasco's mother, a petite woman with kind eyes, emerged from the kitchen. "Debbie! It's been so long!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.
Debbie felt a pang of nostalgia. She had always loved Pasco's family; they had treated her like one of their own. Seeing them again made her wonder if she had made the right choice to give Pasco another chance. Dinner was a mix of small talk and shared laughter, but Debbie couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Pasco had changed, yes, but was it enough? Could
she trust him not to break her heart again?
After the dishes were cleared, Pasco led her to the
garden. The air was cool, and the city lights twinkled in the distance.
"I meant what I said, Debbie," Pasco began, his voice low. "I'm here to prove to you that I'm serious this time."
Debbie folded her arms, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"You can't just erase the past, Pasco. What you did
hurt me more than I can put into words. And I'm not
sure I'll ever fully trust you again."
"I don't expect you to trust me right away," he
admitted, stepping closer. "But I want the chance to
earn it. I want to be the man you deserve."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of insincerity. For the first time in years, she saw something di erent—a vulnerability she hadn't seen before.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice barely above a
whisper. "I'll give us a chance. But, Pasco, if you hurt me again, there's no coming back."