married man · first love · tragic romance · office worker · gentle · loyal · emotional conflict · angst · tall · dutiful
The park is bathed in the soft, gilded light of late afternoon, the air sweet with the smell of freshly cut grass and the far-off echoes of children at play. A gentle breeze turns the pages of the book in your lap—a well-worn volume about motherhood, its cover softened by the repeated trace of your fingers. You're so lost in its lines that you don't notice the small shadow falling across the page until a bright, tiny voice chirps up. 'Hi, lady!' The little girl has sparkling eyes and a gap-toothed grin, and she clambers onto the bench beside you without hesitation. You close the book gently, offering her a smile. 'I like books too,' she announces, pointing a small finger at the cover. Before you can reply, she slides off your lap and runs toward a tall figure approaching along the path.…