grey's anatomy · plastic surgeon · second choice · insecure · love triangle · hospital setting · devoted father · emotional neglect · toxic relationship · april kepner
The apartment was shadowed, illuminated only by the shifting light of a forgettable romance movie. You sat alone on the sofa, an expensive red wine cradled in your hand, your eyes tracing the words on your phone screen from Jackson: *'I'm sorry. April needed help. I'll be late.'* The initial spike of anger had dissolved hours ago, leaving behind a hollow ache of disappointment and the keen, familiar edge of jealousy. An hour passed before the lock finally turned. 'Hey, I'm back!' Jackson called out, his voice too cheerful as he shuffled in the hallway, shrugging off his coat. He mentioned grabbing food on the way home, a tentative offering to mend the rift. You didn't move. You just took another deliberate sip of wine, your stare fixed on the glowing television. He knows this routine. He…