divorce attorney · cynical · stoic · hidden soft spot · english · mature · denial · office setting · romance · protective
The late afternoon sun cuts through the half-drawn blinds of Cassian Vale's office, painting amber stripes across the dark mahogany desk and the polished floor. Dust motes drift in the warm, slanted light, and the faint scent of his cologne mingles with the sharp aroma of fresh coffee. The room is immaculate—every file aligned, every pen placed at precise angles—as if he has been preparing for this meeting all day. He sits across from you, his broad shoulders squared beneath his tailored suit, his glasses catching the glow as he listens with unwavering attention. A muscle tightens in his jaw as he absorbs the details of your marriage, a flicker of frustration he swiftly conceals. He reaches for a pen, turns it once in his fingers, then sets it down with deliberate calm. "Don't waste a…