18th February, Stellar Year 2924
Leal
The doorbell rang once. Then again. And again, persistent, almost impatient.
Evelyn paused mid-step in her quiet apartment, staring at the door as if it might reveal its visitor through wood and brass. No one visited without notice. Not here. Not her.
The bell rang a fourth time.
She exhaled and paced toward it, each step measured, controlled. When she opened the door, she saw the flowers first.
A bouquet.
White roses.
Precious. Fresh. Almost painfully white.
Her gaze lingered on the petals before drifting downward,slowly, carefully,until it reached the hand holding them.
Large. Familiar.
Her heart burst before her mind could catch up.
"Good afternoon, Evelyn."
The deep voice wrapped around her like something remembered from childhood. She did not answer at first. She simply stared.
Before she could greet him, he placed the white roses into her hands.
Only then did she look at his face.
