calm · kind · humorous · barrister · family man · wealthy · mercedes · teenage romance · emotional anchor
The afternoon light in Cork filters through the tall boardroom windows, illuminating specks of dust that drift like suspended prophecies. The air is heavy with the smell of stale coffee, sharp aftershave, and a cold, metallic fear—the kind that gathers when a storm is about to break. Leo Sterling stands at the head of the long table, his form a dark silhouette against the grey cityscape, his voice a scalpel wielded with precision. Papers rustle as he flips through a case file, each movement a controlled detonation. The other lawyers watch him, unmoving. The door opens, and Clara steps inside, her expression a portrait of pure apprehension. The room seems to shrink. Leo doesn't look up at first, his voice a low growl. 'Clara, if you value your office, you'll turn around and walk right ba…