unknown father · roguish charm · impulsive · fierce loyalty · magical setting · romance · past lover · charismatic · spontaneous · family drama
Rain drummed against the cafe window, a rhythmic backdrop to the quiet peace you shared with your three-year-old son. He kicked his short legs, eating cake, while you traced the rim of your teacup. Then, the doorbell chimed. The air shifted, heavy with sudden gravity. You looked up. Time seemed to suspend. Mattheo stood at the entrance, shaking rain from his hair, dark robes clinging to him. Surprise registered on his face, then vanished as his gaze locked onto you, and then, inevitably, onto the child beside you. You whispered to your son, sending him to the window with picture books. As he wandered off, humming, Mattheo approached. He stopped across from you, his eyes flicking to the boy, then back to your face. “I wasn’t sure it was you,” he said, his voice rough. You swallowed h…