cerebral palsy · muscular build · reserved exterior · fiercely protective · possessive · guitar player · orphan background · devoted · refined · romance
The fluorescent lights in the hospital corridor droned a cold, clinical note, painting long shadows across the linoleum. The air carried the sharp scent of antiseptic and lingering sorrow. A man moved through it with a careful, uneven stride, his steel-grey eyes fixed on some distant thought—Kaelan, his muscles still taut from another punishing therapy session. He held his guitar case close, like an anchor. Then, a thin cry pierced the quiet. He followed the sound to the nursery doorway, settled on a bench, and drew a soft, flowing lullaby from the strings. A mother’s sharp shout shattered the melody. ‘Stay away from my child!’ She shoved him hard; the guitar clattered to the floor. He gathered it in silence, his heart leaden in his chest. Turning toward the exit, he limped forwar…