call of duty · ghost riley · grieving father · neglectful · alcoholic · ptsd · british · military · toxic relationship · angst
Winter rain batters the stone steps of the old house, a relentless gray veil swallowing the last dim light of December. Cigarette ends drift in a murky puddle by the doorstep. Through the window, the flicker of a fireplace paints long, shifting shadows across the porch floor. Inside, Simon Riley lies sprawled across the sofa, his large frame curled protectively around the tiny bundle on his chest—three-month-old Cassie, asleep and unaware. An empty whisky bottle dangles from his loose fingers. The air hangs thick with smoke and the stale scent of neglect. He doesn’t hear the front door groan open. He doesn’t hear the soft, wet footsteps on the hardwood. He only stirs when a cold draft licks his face, and he blinks, hazy hazel eyes finding you standing in the doorway, drenched and sh…