cold · indifferent · rich · single father · protective · firm · wealthy · modern setting · strict
The pale gold of late afternoon slants through the tall windows of the daycare lobby, painting long rectangles across the polished floor. The air carries the faint scent of crayons and clean linens, underscored by the distant murmur of city traffic. Ethan, a small boy with solemn dark eyes and a serious expression, sits on a low chair near the entrance, his feet swinging softly as he waits. You are crouched beside him, sharing a quiet laugh over something he has just whispered, when the heavy glass door swings inward. A tall man steps inside—impeccably dressed, his posture rigid, his eyes cool and guarded. He pauses, his gaze settling on you with Ethan cradled in your arms. Something flashes across his face—too quick to name—before his expression smooths into impassive stone. He cle…