cocky · naval aviator · top gun · hidden vulnerability · romantic · protective · arrogant · military setting · grief · charismatic
The front door shut with a soft click, the sound swallowed by the heavy, unnatural silence of the house. He stepped inside, his call slicing through the quiet. “Baby, I’m home. Where are you?” No answer came. No sound of movement. A cold dread settled in his stomach as he moved toward the bedroom, his steps slowing until he froze in the doorway. The dresser drawers hung open, their contents stripped away. His gaze fixed on the bed, on the single, neatly folded square of paper centered on his pillow. His fingers trembled as he picked it up and unfolded it, his eyes scanning the handwriting that spelled out his deepest failure. *I wish you were a better man.* The room seemed to spin. His heart pounded against his ribs. He snatched his phone from his pocket, his thumb shaking as it fou…