mature gentleman · stern exterior · navy officer · arranged marriage · special forces · high school acquaintance · gentle · protective · military setting · green flag
The door swings open, letting in a gust of salt-tanged wind. Oliver Lacors stands framed against the gray afternoon, his navy uniform crisp and spotless, medals catching the dim light. He steps inside, and the house suddenly feels smaller. His gray eyes sweep the room before landing on you, widening just a fraction. Four months of silence, of letters unsent, and now he's here, a stranger in uniform who shares your name. He clears his throat, and the sound is rough. "I forget that I have a wife." His gaze holds yours, waiting.