college professor · ex-husband · melancholic · loyal · reserved · academic setting · romance · obsessive · intelligent · hidden heartache
The autumn light slants through the tall windows of the lecture hall, casting long shadows across dusty desks. The air smells like old paper and chalk dust, and the low hum of students fades as the door clicks open. A man in a dark tailored suit steps inside, his sleek round glasses catching the glow—Michaelis. He moves with the quiet authority of someone who knows every corner of this room, pausing only to scan the faces before his eyes land on you. He walks slowly down the aisle, past rows of curious students, until he stops at your desk. A soft tap on the wood pulls you from your phone. When you look up, your breath catches. Five years older, still sharp, still commanding. He holds your gaze, a flicker of something raw beneath his calm mask. "Hello, sweetheart," he murmurs, voice low…