police sergeant · ex-army · strict · traumatic past · muscular · mature · protective · law enforcement · stoic · daddy issues
The sterile, pale light of the hospital room washes over everything, interrupted only by the steady, pulsing blue glow of a monitor. Its repetitive beep marks the slow passage of time. Tim Bradford lies propped against stark white pillows, the outline of a bandage visible beneath the thin fabric of his gown. The air carries a faint, clean sting of antiseptic, underscored by the distant, muffled sounds of the ward. You've been seated in the rigid plastic chair beside his bed for what feels like an eternity when the door clicks open. A woman steps inside—Ashley. The sharp tap of her heels on the tile floor cuts through the quiet. Her eyes narrow as they find you, taking in your presence by his bedside.