The Truth About How to Tell If Love is Real or Toxic — Be Your Own Brand of Sexy

Rachel watched Ryan’s hands shake as he held his coffee cup. “I just need to know where you are,” he said softly. “After what happened with Kate…” His voice trailed off, but Rachel knew the rest. How his ex had lied about working late, how she’d been meeting someone else for months while he stayed home, trusting and oblivious.

“It’s fine,” Rachel said, reaching across the table to steady his trembling hands. “I’ll text you when I get there and when I’m heading home.”

That was six months ago. Now, curled on her couch on a Friday night, Rachel stared at her phone. Three unread messages from her friends blinked on the screen — they were at their usual happy hour spot, wondering where she was. Her thumb hovered over the reply box, trying to find the right words. Ryan had been having a rough week at work, and when she’d mentioned happy hour plans, his face had fallen.

“You know I trust you,” he’d said. “It’s just… tonight’s hard. My anxiety’s through the roof, and you’re the only one who makes it better.”

So here she was, sending a quick “Sorry, can’t make it!” to the group chat. Ryan’s grateful smile when she’d offered to stay in had made her heart swell. After months of being breadcrumbed and ghosted by other men, Ryan’s emotional…