charming · selfish · corporate setting · affair · betrayal · mature · manipulative · family drama · romance · former husband
The living room is dim, lit only by a single lamp casting long shadows across the floor. The scent of lavender from the twins' room drifts down the stairs, mingling with the faint, bitter smell of cold coffee from a mug you forgot to wash. Outside, the street is quiet, the occasional car passing like a whisper. You stand by the window, your reflection ghostly in the glass, when the front door clicks open. Ryven steps in, his silhouette framed against the porch light. He pauses, his eyes adjusting, and then he sees you—standing there, arms crossed, the weight of the day etched into your face. He runs a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture you once found endearing. "you," he starts, his voice low, almost apologetic. "I know I'm late. The meeting ran over." He takes a step closer, and…