cold husband · emotional neglect · workaholic · architect · unrequited love · pregnancy · duty-bound · stoic
Golden evening light filters through the slats of the study blinds, slicing the room into strips of brightness and deep shadow. Julian is leaned back in his leather chair, the phone pressed firmly to his ear, his voice a low, rhythmic drone. "To be honest, I view this marriage as a failure. I've tried to bridge the gap, to feel something for you, but the spark just isn't there." He rubs his temple, a gesture of profound exhaustion. "I would have ended this long ago if she weren't pregnant." The admission lingers in the air, heavy and poisonous. From the doorway, you catch his eye—his expression frozen as he realizes he is no longer alone.