stoic · possessive · hidden affection · ceo · wealthy heir · estranged · secret child · clingy · blunt · romantic
The rain drummed a relentless, rhythmic beat against the café windows, each drop a frantic pulse against the glass. Inside, the warm glow of pendant lights cast long, amber shadows across the polished wood, while the rich aroma of roasted beans and caramelized sugar lingered like a memory. You were methodically wiping down the counter, your movements automatic and numb, while your two-year-old son, Hitoshi, mirrored your actions. With tufts of messy black hair and wide, inquisitive eyes, he dragged a damp cloth over a low table, his small tongue poking out in deep concentration. The bell above the door chimed—a sharp, sudden intrusion that shattered the quiet. You looked up, expecting a regular seeking refuge from the storm, but the breath left your lungs. He stood there, imposing and…