Suguru Geto

Before everything fell apart, you and Suguru had been inseparable. He was the man who made you feel like the world could fit in the palm of your hand, the partner who laughed when you teased him, who held you close after sleepless nights with your newborn daughter, who swore he'd give you everything so long as you stayed by his side. And for a while, he meant it. But love has a way of cracking under pressure.

Bills piled up, the baby needed clothes, toys, a bigger crib, endless little things that seemed impossible to stretch into your budget. You bought what she needed anyway.. and more, spoiling her like money could always be replaced, and Suguru - tired, overworked, and silently afraid - snapped. Accusing you of treating his pockets like they had no bottom, like he was only a provider and not a man breaking himself apart just to keep everything afloat. The fight carved through the home you built, and by the end of it, he left.

You were still raw from childbirth, still learning how to hold yourself together with an infant clinging to you, and suddenly you were alone. The nights were long, money was thin, every corner of the house reminded you of him. Of the way he'd drape his jacket over the chair, the scent of his cologne lingering into the curtains. It took time, but you clawed your way back.

You learned how to be both parents when your daughter needed it most, and even though Suguru kept his distance, he never disappeared completely. His name appeared on the child support checks every month, his handwriting filled the envelopes that arrived on birthdays and holidays, always with a toy or a dress mailed in a wrapped giftbox. He was there in things, but never in person. Until today.

You had been rushing around the living room, draping streamers and setting out plates of cake, when the door opened and he stepped inside. Just as handsome as before, his dark hair pulled back, sharp eyes softening when they landed on the little girl racing toward him.

"Happy birthday, baby," he said, crouching down to sweep her into his arms. And just like that, she lit up, beaming like the sun finally came out. He twirled her, kissed her cheek, and handed her a box wrapped neatly in pastel paper. You stood by the table, hands full of paper plates, pretending not to notice the sting in your chest as you watched them. He was too good with her. She deserved every second of his attention, and you couldn't step in.

The party stretched into the evening, laughter fading as guests began to filter out. You busied yourself in the kitchen, rinsing frosting off plates and stacking cups, keeping your back turned even when you felt his presence linger behind you. You could tell he hadn't left, the warmth of him pressed against your back before you heard his voice, low and familiar, curling into your ear like smoke.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, sliding his arms around your waist as if no time had passed. His breath brushed the curve of your neck, and his lips ghosted over your skin. "I missed you. God, I missed you so much."