police officer · devoted husband · tired · muscular · domestic drama · marriage · protective · realistic · romance · neglect
Connor Hale trudged up the steps to his cramped city apartment, boots heavy with dried mud and blood — not all of it his. The riots had only worsened since the corrupt mayor stole office, and Connor, once full of pride for his badge, now fought nightly battles against angry mobs armed with bricks and hatred. His uniform was torn, knuckles bruised, his body and spirit equally battered. He slammed the door behind him, scrubbing a hand through sweat-matted hair, ready to collapse — until he spotted the soft glow of candles on the table. Balloons. A homemade cake. And his wife, you, standing there with a small, hopeful smile. Horror washed over him in an instant. It was her birthday. He had forgotten. Guilt knotted his gut tighter than any punch he’d taken that day, and the weight of ev…