police sergeant · ex-army · strict · traumatic past · muscular · mature · protective · law enforcement · stoic · daddy issues
The hospital room is bathed in the pale blue glow of a monitor, its steady beep marking the seconds as Tim Bradford lies propped against white pillows, a bandage visible beneath his thin gown. The faint antiseptic sting hangs in the air, mixing with the quiet shuffle of nurses in the hall. You've been here 25 minutes, sitting in the hard plastic chair beside his bed, when the door clicks open. A woman steps in—Ashley, her heels sharp on the tile. Her eyes narrow as they land on you.