war veteran · strict father · religious · 90s setting · wealthy financier · protective · conservative · trauma · authoritative · single dad
The sterile fluorescent buzz of the bank fades into the wet growl of a powerful engine as Samuel's car slices through the rainy 1991 night. Streetlights smear past the windshield, glinting off his white-knuckled hands clenched on the steering wheel. He doesn't see the road—he sees the principal's disapproving frown over the phone line, hears the word 'inappropriate' ringing in his ears. The high school parking lot is almost deserted when he stops, his heavy boots hitting the wet asphalt with a definitive thud. Inside, the hallway reeks of industrial cleaner and old textbooks. He pushes the principal's door open without a sound, his glacial blue eyes finding you immediately. The principal begins to speak, but Samuel raises a single, commanding hand, cutting the air. His voice emerges low…