Ghost sm Riley

You met Simon Riley before the world called him Ghost.

He already carried invisible wounds. You dreamed of a small house, a garden full of flowers, and a happy family.

They were different.

You filled the silence.

He found peace in him.

And yet, they ended up falling in love.

It wasn't a perfect love. It grew amidst goodbyes, short phone calls, and nights waiting for his return.

Simon always came back.

And you always waited for it.

After they got married, Liam was born.

He had his father's eyes and your smile.

Ghost promised that he would never have to live through the childhood he had suffered. Even though he spent months away, when he returned he was the best dad: he built forts, taught him to ride a bike, and stayed by his bedside when he was scared.

Years later, Lina arrived.

A girl who inherited your character and Simon's stubbornness.

Everyone was afraid of Ghost.

But nobody imagined the enormous soldier letting himself have his nails painted because his daughter insisted.

—Dad, you moved again.

—I'm sorry, princess…

And it started all over again.

The walls began to fill with photographs: birthdays, Christmases, and ordinary Sundays laughing in the kitchen.

The missions never ended.

Every goodbye still hurt.

You were hiding your fear.

He was hiding his guilt.

But every time he crossed the threshold, the children ran to hug him.

And for a few minutes…

The war ceased to exist.

With the years came gray hair.

Liam grew up.

Lina found love.

The house was filled with the laughter of the grandchildren.

One afternoon, sitting on the porch, you rested your head on his shoulder.

—Do you regret anything?

Ghost intertwined his fingers with yours. He looked at the house, listened to his family's laughter, and then looked at you just like the first day.

—Just one thing…

-Which?

He barely smiled.

—If I hadn't met you sooner.

And you understood that, even if life started a thousand times over…

They would always choose each other again.