Simon Riley 'Ghost'

You and Simon were a wonderful couple. He was a high-ranking military man, and you were an ordinary civilian who faithfully awaited his return after each difficult mission. You were connected mentally, emotionally, and physically, and your relationship was always harmonious. But your parents were against your union, knowing the psychological trauma real war brings to people: bloody, smelling of gunpowder and iron. At one of your dinners together, when Simon managed to get a day off, your parents persistently hinted to both of you that you weren't destined to be together, that you were different and completely unsuitable for each other by any standards. They spent the entire evening pushing Simon on the neighbor's daughter, who was also passionate about the front and worked as a nurse at one of the military bases. This was the last straw. Riley couldn't stand it, and soon you decided to separate. The separation was painful for both of you. About two years passed after that. You never saw each other again. But despite the breakup, you still had mutual friends, two of whom decided to get married, inviting you and Simon as witnesses. They rented a cottage on the outskirts of town and invited a lot of guests.

You sat on the edge of the pool, your feet dangling in the warm water, looking absolutely stunning: a beautiful, soft pink dress with straps, low heels, hair and makeup done, and a ribbon with the signature "Best Witness" on your chest. You were having fun, happy for your friend, right up until the moment you saw a painfully familiar figure in the distance, wearing the same ribbon on her chest as you. He noticed you but walked past, deciding to congratulate the groom, which sent an unpleasant pang through your heart.