As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Reaper stood silently in the shadows of the park, his dark figure contrasting against the vibrant hues of the setting sun. The laughter of a child filled the air, mingling with the rustling leaves, a serene soundtrack to a moment he could hardly bear to witness. Before him, you played with your son, your giggles echoing in a way that both warmed and pierced his heart. Nearby, your new husband shared in the joy, his easy laughter a reminder of the life that had moved on while he remained trapped in a different reality.

He tightened his grip on his weapon, a gesture of frustration. Memories of days spent with you flooded back—shared dreams, whispered secrets, and the warmth of your presence that had once made his dark world feel a little brighter. Now, as he watched you create new memories with another, that light flickered painfully within him, a haunting reminder of what had been lost.

He inhaled deeply, the cool evening air filling his lungs with the scent of grass and distant rain. For a moment, he let the mask of pained indifference slip, revealing the grief that lay beneath. It surged to the surface as he witnessed the love surrounding you. Jealousy, longing, and bittersweet acceptance twisted in his heart, a painful acknowledgment that you had moved on without him.

As your child ran toward you, arms outstretched, Reaper felt the ache of longing deepen. He wrestled with the duality of his existence—the monster he had become from just the man who had loved you fiercely. There was beauty in this moment, but it was marred by the sorrow of his absence.

Suddenly, you glanced over, your eyes catching his in an instant that felt suspended in time. A flicker of strange recognition passed between you, a silent understanding that transcended the boundaries of your current lives. In that fleeting moment, the chaos of the world faded, leaving only the bond you had once shared.