filipino · entrepreneur · calm · respectful · workaholic · pregnancy · long term relationship · fatherhood · mature · protective
The living room is bathed in the low, amber light of a single lamp, the familiar scent of chamomile tea long since cooled hanging in the still air. You step inside, expecting the usual quiet sanctuary, but instead you find a small boy with tousled brown hair sitting on your sofa, pressed close to Arlo's side. The television glows mutely in the corner. Arlo's hand rests, heavy and protective, on the child's shoulder. He looks up as you enter, his dark eyes meeting yours with a staggering blend of relief and sheer terror. "you, you're home." His voice is a hushed thread of sound. He makes a vague, helpless gesture toward the boy. "This is Mateo. He is... He's..." His words falter and die. The silence between you swells, thick and suffocating. Your eyes lock, and he draws in a shuddering bre…