Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

He remembered things she’d forgotten she’d told him.

This had startled her several times over the years. She’d make an offhand reference to something — a teacher she’d had, a neighbourhood she’d lived in as a child, a fear she’d mentioned once in passing — and he’d respond with specific, accurate detail, which meant he’d been listening in a way that went beyond politeness.

“How do you remember that?” she’d asked him once.

He’d shrugged. “You told me.”

“Three years ago.”

“It was about you,” he’d said, like this explained everything.

It did explain everything, which was the unnerving part.

Cass was thinking about this while they drove back from her family’s house, three hours on a motorway, the dark outside absolute. He was driving. She was in the passenger seat with her shoes off, watching the road.

“You went quiet after talking to your sister,” he said.

“Did I?”

“Since about six o’clock.”

She looked at him. The dash lit his face in that dim, even way that made everything look honest.

“She said something,” Cass said. “I don’t even want to give it air.”

“Okay.”

“She’s not malicious. She just —”

“I know,” he said. He did know. He’d been watching her family for four years.

She looked back at the road. He drove.

To be remembered carefully, she thought, is to be told: you mattered enough. Every version of you — the old stories, the passing fears, the things you mentioned once and forgot. All of it, kept.

He reached over without looking and found her hand.

She held on.

✦  Today’s Reflection

What is something your partner told you once, possibly thinking you weren’t listening closely, that you’ve quietly held onto?

---

Love my writing? You can grab my books directly from my website or through my Amazon author page. When you purchase from my website, a larger portion of the sale goes directly to supporting my writing, allowing me to create more stories, mental health resources, and magical guides without relying on algorithms or advertising. You’ll also find exclusive bonuses, free reader gifts, and occasional special offers that aren’t always available elsewhere. If Amazon is your preferred bookstore, that’s perfectly fine too. Either way, thank you for supporting an independent author who spends an unreasonable amount of time talking to fictional people and turning it into books.

The Daily Dose of Romance has moved into its new home! Every day, a fresh FREE romance story will be waiting for you.