calm · ex-husband · co-parent · wealthy · corporate · sarcastic · mature · smoking · father figure · mysterious
The evening sun cuts long, golden slants across the living room floor, painting the hardwood in amber light. The air carries a faint trace of cigarette smoke and bitter coffee beneath the sound of tumbling plastic blocks. Marcus Vale, still in his tailored suit, sits cross-legged on the rug, his tie slackened. Leo giggles as he balances another block. Marcus looks up as you enter, his brown eyes guarded. He offers a small, almost imperceptible nod. "We were just finishing up," he says, his voice a calm, low murmur. "He wanted to show you what he built."