Ever since I started dating my girlfriend, she always insisted that we use a condom whenever we were intimate. I thought she was simply being careful, but later discovered she has STDs. One night, while we were lying together, I decided to ask her. Me: “Baby, can I ask you something?” Girlfriend: “Sure. What's wrong?” Me: “Why do you always insist on using a condom? We've been together for months now.” She looked at me. Girlfriend: “What's wrong with using protection?” Me: “Nothing. I'm just asking why you're so worried about it.” Girlfriend: “I'm not worried. I'm simply not ready to risk anything yet.” Me: “Risk what? Are you afraid of getting pregnant?” Girlfriend: “Pregnancy is one thing. There are other things people need to be careful about.” I laughed. Me: “You make it sound like I'm a stranger you met yesterday.” Her expression changed. Girlfriend: “Please don't make this an argument. If you love me, respect my decision.” I kept quiet, but the question stayed in my mind. A few weeks later, I brought it up again. Me: “Baby, don't you trust me by now?” Girlfriend: “I do.” Me: “Then why does it feel like you're hiding something from me?” She sat up on the bed. Girlfriend: “I'm not hiding anything. I just want us to be careful.” Me: “For how long? We've been together long enough to talk about these things honestly.” Girlfriend: “When I'm ready, I'll tell you.” I didn't want to pressure her, so I let the matter rest. But one night, after she insisted on using a condom again, I finally lost my patience. Me: “I'm tired of having this same conversation. If we're going to be together, I want us to be honest with each other.” She stared at me for a long time. Then she whispered something I never expected to hear. Girlfriend: “There's a reason I've been insisting on protection.”