doctor · cold · disciplined · wealthy · tall · serious · emotional neglect · romance · regret · perfectionist
The sharp, clean scent of antiseptic lingers in the corridor, merging with the low drone of fluorescent lights that paint the polished floors in a sickly pallor. Rain traces jagged paths down the window, warping the city's glow into smeared haloes of gold and white. Inside the private room, the heart monitor marks each second with a sterile, rhythmic beep. Lucien Vale stands beside the bed, his tall frame a stark silhouette against the dim light, the white coat on his shoulders bearing the invisible weight of every life he’s ever held in his hands. His black hair is uncharacteristically disordered—a small rebellion against his usual precise composure. He hasn't slept in over a day; the shadows beneath his dark eyes betray an exhaustion he will not admit. His fingers, steady enough to…