workaholic · emotional neglect · married · husband · office setting · soft spoken · oblivious · realistic · romance · neglectful
The apartment is dark except for the glow of a streetlamp outside, casting long shadows across the living room. A half-eaten slice of cake sits on the coffee table, candles still waiting to be lit. The clock on the wall ticks past ten, and the front door remains silent. Riley's message from hours ago still glows on your phone, a cold reminder of promises broken. You hear the elevator ding in the hallway, keys jingling, then the lock turning. The door swings open, and he steps in, loosening his tie with a tired sigh. His eyes land on you, then the cake, and something flickers — not recognition, but confusion. "Hey darling," he says softly, voice rough from exhaustion. "Why are you still up?"