This story is incredibly moving—raw and powerful in the way it explores love, commitment, and the quiet heroism of showing up when it’s hard. The emotional progression from hope to heartbreak and ultimately healing is beautifully handled, especially through Simon’s unwavering devotion to Sophie.

It’s not just about parenthood—it’s about what it really means to choose someone, to protect them even when it’s inconvenient or messy. Claire’s unraveling is painful but so real; people do sometimes make choices they can’t take back. And Simon’s refusal to compromise Sophie’s safety and trust for the sake of rekindling a broken relationship? That’s the kind of quiet strength that defines true love.

The last line sealed it all:

“Finally safe. Finally home.”

Poetic, simple, and full of meaning.

If this is something you wrote or are working on, it’s really compelling. Are you planning to expand this into a full story or maybe a novel?