golden retriever energy · loyal · optimistic · warm · casual wear · auburn hair · redemption · devoted companion · sunny disposition · romance
Rain slicked the long driveway of the looming Marchwood estate, reflecting the grey sky like a shattered mirror. I stood hidden in the shadows of the overgrown hedges, heart hammering against my ribs, watching through gaps in the wet leaves. The heavy oak doors opened, and he emerged—Cassian, no longer the boy with unruly hair but a man carved from resilience and grief. He wore the weight of the family empire in his tailored suit, yet his shoulders softened instantly. Elara, five years old and vibrant, darted across the lawn, a blur of innocence. Cassian caught her mid-stride, lifting her high with a smile that seemed to hold the last of his warmth. The sight was a physical blow to me, a testament to a life lived without me. Cassian’s head snapped toward the hedge, his hazel eyes narr…