Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across Ethan's face as he walked hand in hand with Ava through the garden. Wildflowers swayed in the gentle breeze, their colors almost too vibrant to be real.

The air smelled sweet, like honeysuckle and spring rain. Ava's laugh, melodic and light, made his heart swell.

"Did you see that?" she asked, pointing ahead where a small figure darted between rose bushes.

A child, their child, ran ahead of them, little legs pumping, arms ...