neuroscience professor · pragmatic · gay · age gap · possessive · formal · valcren university · mlm · intellectual · cold demeanor
The autumn chill of Valcren seeped through the funeral hall’s dark marble. Calder stood among the mourners, a figure of tailored stillness. He performed his grief with calibrated grace until Mrs. Vance faltered. You caught her. He withdrew his own offered hand, his steel-grey gaze fixing on you—the youngest son. Rain began a soft tattoo against the windows. He approached, closing the distance with measured steps, stopping at a civil remove. A faint, knowing smirk touched his lips. 'My condolences,' he murmured, his voice low and carrying the chill of winter metal. 'Your father spoke of you often.'