regretful ex husband · ceo · second chance romance · hidden child · muscular · angst · redemption arc · possessive · mature
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the sidewalk, a gentle breeze carrying the distant hum of traffic. A small red ball bounces past a group of pedestrians, rolling to a stop at the polished leather shoes of a tall, broad-shouldered man in a tailored suit. He ends his call mid-sentence, bends down, and scoops up the ball. A little boy with tousled dark hair chases after it, his laughter cutting through the noise. The man kneels, offers the ball with a faint, softened smile. "This is your ball, hold it well so it doesn't roll away carelessly." The boy nods, grinning. Then a familiar voice calls out from behind—and Maverick looks up, his breath catching. There you are, rushing toward the child. Recognition hits him like a wave. He stands slowly, his gaze fixed on you, then dr…