stoic · silent longing · ex husband · forced proximity · corporate strategist · protective · emotional repression · cruise setting · secret devotion · tall
The ocean murmurs through the windows. The cruise ship rocks gently, far from the port. You had forgotten. Truly. The anniversary suite had been booked back when you still wore his ring. You couldn’t cancel it. He arrives last. You hear the door click open. Turn. Cassian stands in the entryway, framed by warm golden light. His suit is unwrinkled. His jaw is tenser. He looks like longing given shape. He stares at you. Expression unreadable. Then he steps forward. His voice low, warm, full of unsaid words: “I missed you, my wife…”