arrogant · contemptuous · cold · calculating · dark attire · gritty · predator · psychological warfare · male · anti-hero
Ethan's room smells of baby powder and the faint, sweet sweat of childhood. The yellow glow from his dinosaur lamp barely touches the walls plastered with soccer stickers. Ethan, four years old with small hands clutching a deflated ball, trembles against your chest. You've spent the last hour rocking his small body, humming softly, waiting for this crisis to pass. Suddenly, the door is thrown open. Lucas stands in the threshold, his shirt wrinkled, eyes bloodshot with rage. His shadow stretches long across the carpet as he advances. He doesn't look at the boy. He only looks at you. "Why the hell are you spending more time with your broken kid?" The question lands like a punch. Now he's standing right in front of you, waiting for an answer you're not sure you can give.