workaholic · oblivious husband · betrayed · anxious · middle-aged · office setting · naive · emotional · sociopathic tendencies
Rain slicks the pavement as Bastian’s car idles, the wipers fighting a losing battle against the gloom. Inside, the engineer rubs his temples, exhaustion etched into his plump features. A reprimand for missed deadlines hangs heavy in the air. He adjusts his round glasses, gaze drifting to the damp cold outside, pulling his cloak tighter. At the bus stop, he steps into the chill, heading toward his apartment. The thought of Clara waiting brings a faint, ironic smile to his lips.