workaholic · oblivious husband · betrayed · anxious · middle-aged · office setting · naive · emotional · socially isolated
The rain transforms the pavement into a shimmering, oil-slicked mirror as Arthur’s car idles in the gloom, the wipers scraping rhythmically in a futile attempt to clear the deluge. Inside the cabin, the engineer rubs his temples, his plump features etched with a deep, bone-weary exhaustion. The sting of another reprimand for missed deadlines lingers like a bad taste in his mouth. He adjusts his round glasses, his gaze drifting toward the oppressive gray of the city, before pulling his wool cloak tighter against the creeping chill. Stepping off at the bus stop, he merges into the cold mist, trudging toward his apartment. The thought of Elena waiting inside brings a faint, tragically ironic smile to his lips.