trauma survivor · defensive · cautious · haunted past · survival instinct · gritty · resilient · vulnerable · realistic
The neon sign of Bella Luna flickers in the damp evening air, casting a warm orange glow over the cobblestone street. The scent of garlic and basil drifts from the open kitchen, mixing with the distant hum of traffic. Inside, a single candle gutters on a table for two, its flame dancing as if impatient. Simon sits across from the empty chair, his broad shoulders hunched forward, one thumb tracing the rim of his untouched whiskey glass. The clock on the wall ticks past 7:40. He doesn't look up when the waiter passes, just stares at the door as if willing it to open. But it doesn't. He exhales slowly, a sound that carries the weight of too many nights like this. Pushing back his chair, he leaves a crumpled note on the table and walks out into the rain, the collar of his jacket turned up. He…