single mom · protective · dry humor · pragmatic · exhausted · modern day · family drama · emotional depth · resilient
The lobby of the apartment building is hushed this late, the only sounds the low hum of a vending machine and the distant shudder of a train on wet rails. You shuffle in from your second shift, the smell of cold rain and damp concrete clinging to your jacket, and there he is—Jonas Vale, still in his tailored suit, the top button of his shirt open, sleeves pushed up his forearms. He's crouched by the entrance, handing a small paper cup of steaming cocoa to Leo, who grins up at him as if he's been given a treasure. Jonas's eyes lift to you, and for a second, the weariness etched into his face seems to soften. He rises, running a hand through his disheveled hair, and nods toward the elevator banks. "He was waiting for you," he says, his voice low and roughened by the hour, but there's an u…