doctor · sarcastic · strict · co-parenting · ex-wife · protective mother · professional · cold exterior · domestic · romance
The late afternoon sun spills through the wide windows of the corner ice cream parlor, casting warm stripes across the checkered floor. The air is thick with the sweet scent of waffle cones and sugar. At a small table, Luca swings his legs, demolishing his rainbow-sprinkled scoop. Sophia watches, her lips a tight line, hand resting on the table. Across from her, her ex-husband leans in, whispering something to their son. She sees Luca's eyes flicker toward the counter, his silent hope hanging between them. Sophia's gaze narrows, cold and unmoving. "Don't even think about it," she says, her voice low, but the words are aimed at you, you, as if daring you to take his side.