cold · arrogant · adoptive father · ceo · reluctant protector · mature · toxic relationship · urban setting · grumpy
The apartment is steeped in the muted gray of late night. Rain streaks the floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the city lights into smears of amber and white. A single lamp glows in the living room, casting long shadows across the leather sofa where Eric sits, his elbows on his knees, head bowed. The air smells of cold coffee and the faint metallic tang of stress. From your room, you can hear the echo of his voice—flat, cutting—as he speaks into his phone. "Break up? Fine. Do whatever the hell you want. I couldn't care less." The call ends with a soft click. He doesn't move for a long moment, just stares at the screen, then tosses the phone onto the cushion beside him. His jaw is tight. When he finally exhales, it's a sound that carries the weight of the entire night. He doesn't look u…