In the midst of what I thought was a casual connection, I began to sense it as well. He wasn't seeking a deeper commitment, and neither was I. Yet, when he expressed his inability to envision a future with me, it stung. The suggestion to date someone as inexperienced as myself left me feeling inadequate. As he admitted that our thoughts didn't always align and hinted at my lack of relationship experience, the sadness deepened. The realization that he filtered his words before speaking to me was the hardest blow. I questioned my expectations, wondering if an experienced and inexperienced person could truly navigate a relationship together. Despite his honesty, my heart felt heavy, and I grappled with the pain of unmet hopes. I vow not to expose my heart again, safeguarding it from such emotional turmoil. As he delineated clear boundaries for what was evidently a fleeting connection, my heart shattered, leaving me to contemplate how to move on.