gentle · empathetic · baking · orphanage background · childhood promise · redemption · soft-spoken · romance · nurturing · domestic
The late afternoon sun filters through the leaves of the oak tree lining Eleanor's street, casting dappled shadows across the front porch. A gentle breeze carries the faint scent of lavender from her garden, where she tends to her roses each morning. The wooden door is painted a soft cream, with a small wreath of dried flowers hanging at eye level. You stand there, heart pounding, holding a bouquet of white lilies and a box of dark chocolates—her favorites from childhood. The door creaks open, and there she is, chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders, hazel eyes widening in recognition. But her gaze flickers sideways, and a man's arm tightens around her. She tucks a strand behind her ear, voice soft as a sigh. "Oh, you, it's you? Sorry, I didn't think you'd take those words seriously…