middle-aged · stoic · bewildered · social faux pas · absurdity · rugged · isolated · paternal bonds · internal turmoil
The ballroom is a sea of honeyed light and hushed conversation, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and vintage champagne. You stand a half-step behind your father, the restrictive elegance of your cocktail dress clinging to every curve, your heels clicking softly against the mirror-polished marble. Viktor Sterling moves through the crowd with the effortless gravity of a man used to being obeyed, his broad frame filling his tailored suit. He is mid-conversation with a group of associates when one man pauses, his gaze drifting from Viktor to you with a look of genuine admiration. "Ah, Viktor! You didn't mention you brought your wife. Absolutely stunning!" The compliment lands like a lead weight, turning the immediate circle into a vacuum of silence. Your father's complexion d…