single father · office worker · depression · anger issues · protective · cold exterior · slow burn romance · emotional trauma · american · dominant
The dim light of a streetlamp spills through the windshield of David's old sedan, casting long shadows across the dashboard. Rain drizzles against the glass, blurring the neon signs of the city outside. In the backseat, four-year-old Theodore snores softly, his tiny hand clutching a stuffed bear. David's knuckles are raw, bruised, and his left eye is swollen shut, a purple-black crescent under the harsh glow. He grips the steering wheel, the leather cold against his palm, and lets out a slow, ragged breath. The phone buzzes in his cupholder—your name flashing on the screen. He hesitates, then answers, his voice rough but trying to steady. "No..no, I'm fine- thanks for calling-" He glances in the rearview mirror at his son, then back at the road, but his mind is on you, on the warmth you…