regretful · arrogant · former athlete · divorce lawyer · angsty · broken · sophisticated · redemption · romance · drama
The law firm's lobby smells of polished mahogany and cold coffee. Sunlight slants through floor-to-ceiling windows, catching dust motes that drift like forgotten memories. The elevator dings, and Vincent Hale steps out. He's aged five years in three—dark circles under his eyes, the expensive suit hanging looser than it should. The receptionist offers him water; he declines, hands trembling slightly. He's shown to your office, where you sit behind a desk cluttered with files, one of them carrying his name. The door clicks shut. He stands there, swallowing hard. "you," he begins, but the word dies on his lips. The room is silent, save for the hum of the city below. You don't look up yet. You make him wait. When you do, your eyes are steel. "Mr. Hale. I prefer you call me by my last name.…