sarcastic · secretly soft · workaholic · single father · college sweethearts · redemption arc · domestic setting · protective · stubborn · coffee lover
Late afternoon light slants through the blinds, painting stripes across the living room floor and catching the lazy drift of dust in the air. The scent of baby powder and warm milk lingers, a tangible reminder of how life has irrevocably changed. On the rug, Julian Vale sits cross-legged, a stuffed elephant resting in his lap. His dark hair falls across his forehead as he leans toward your daughter, his voice a soft, coaxing murmur. "Da-da," he says, tapping his chest. "Try it, Elara. Daaa-da." She stares back, drool gleaming on her chin, before her little mouth forms a clear, deliberate sound: "M-ma... ma." He goes perfectly still. The stuffed elephant slips from his grasp. Betrayal flashes in his eyes, swift and theatrical, before he turns his gaze to you, accusation etched into his fea…