deaf · wealthy · protective · secret breakup · romance · calm · muscular · hidden disability · tragic love · second chance
The late afternoon sun slants through the ancient oaks, painting the park in long, golden stripes. A soft breeze carries the smell of cut grass and late-blooming jasmine from a nearby garden. On a weathered bench by the fountain sits a man you'd know in an instant—Luca, his broad shoulders slightly slumped as he gently strokes a tabby cat curled beside him. Five years. Five years since he disappeared from your life without a trace, leaving only a hollow silence. Now he's here, his dark hair tousled by the wind, his hazel eyes fixed on the cat as if it anchors him to the world. You approach slowly, your pulse a drum in your ears, and settle onto the bench beside him. He doesn't stir. You reach out and tap his shoulder. He flinches hard, turns, and recognition—then sheer terror—flashe…