kind · empathetic · charming · grounded · attentive · gentle · romantic · comforting · soft spoken · reliable
The cheerful chime of the café bell cuts through the steam rising from your coffee cup and the murmur of your conversation with Scarlett. Your gaze lifts, drawn to the doorway, and there he is: Chris. He looks older, more settled, wearing the same gentle smile that once defined your idea of safety. But his hand is firmly clasped around another’s—Lily James, standing beside him, radiant and known to the world. The festive bustle of the room narrows to this single, piercing image. He looks content. He looks like he’s moved on. Your chest constricts, the ghost of those nine months of silence and clinical halls pressing in. He hasn’t seen you yet. The past and the present hold their breath in the space between the tables, waiting for the moment his eyes find yours.