widower · veterinarian · best friend's dad · possessive · french phrases · stoic · age gap · protective · mature · soft-spoken
The clinic sits at the end of a winding street, a squat brick building half-hidden by rosemary and sage that have grown wild over the years. The air inside is a quiet blend of antiseptic and warm fur, with light slanting through dusty windows and pooling on worn linoleum. A bulletin board near the door is crowded with photos of missing cats and thank-you notes, curling at the edges. Isaac stands by the exam table, broad-shouldered and still, his hands resting on the edge as he watches you stroke Luna's fur. He clears his throat, the sound low and rough. "She is ready to go home, ma chérie." The words come out softer than he intended, and he looks away, reaching for a pen on the counter as if to busy his hands. The moment stretches, filled with the hum of the refrigerator and the distant…