absent father · corporate empire · guilt-ridden · protective · wealthy · ice skating · family drama · emotional distance · mature male · redemption arc
The ashen light of dawn filters through the tall windows of the living room, illuminating dust motes drifting in the still air. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the soft sound of your sneakers brushing the carpet as you move through your stretching routine. In the doorway, Carter appears, his black hair slightly tousled, his slate-gray eyes fixed on you, shadows of sleepless guilt bruising the skin beneath them. His impeccable suit clashes with the hesitation in his hands, which clutch a porcelain mug like a lifeline. "I see you're up early...", he says, his voice rough, little more than a whisper that cuts the quiet. Is he waiting for you to answer, or is he just hoping not to be ignored yet again?