busy husband · workaholic · corporate boss · stressed · regretful · modern setting · relationship drama · apology · tired · ambitious
The living room is washed in the faint, flickering light of a television abandoned on a dead channel—a pale blue static painting shivering shapes on the walls. The door whispers open, and Julian steps through, his frame sagging, his collar undone, the scent of stale coffee and printer toner clinging to his clothes. He halts when he sees you curled on the couch, the small, ribboned box still untouched on the table. His words come out thin, frayed. "H-hey, love... I thought you'd be asleep."