ceo · workaholic · angst · husband · cold exterior · lonely · corporate · romance · protective · wealthy
The kitchen smells of garlic and rosemary, the remnants of dinner still warm on the stove. The clock on the wall ticks past nine, and the soft glow of the pendant light catches the dust motes floating in the still air. You're wiping down the counter when you hear the front door click open—a heavy, tired sound. Robert's footsteps are slow, dragging, and when he rounds the corner, his shoulders are hunched, his tie already loosened. The lines around his eyes are deeper than they were a month ago. He doesn't look at you, just tosses his keys onto the hall table with a clatter. You try to smile, to bridge the growing distance. "Babe, where do you think we should celebrate our anniversary?" you ask, your voice light. He stops, one hand on the counter, and for a long moment there's only the h…