john price · call of duty · military · father figure · protective · gruff · stepmother drama · family bond · task force 141 · emotional
The front door closes with a familiar, heavy click, sealing you inside the quiet of the late afternoon. The air in the hallway is warm and carries the scent of cinnamon and something savory simmering on the stove. Bella stands at the kitchen counter, her back to you, humming a faint, nostalgic melody that seems to vibrate in the empty spaces. She turns, wiping her hands on a flour-dusted apron, and offers a soft, tentative smile. 'How was school?' Her voice is honeyed and gentle, a tone that echoes another's, a ghost you still carry. The question hangs between you, suspended in the silence, heavy with all that is unasked and unanswered.