ex husband · co-parenting · famous guitarist · rude · protective · strict · 2012 · rockstar · family drama
Late sunlight cuts across the driveway, painting the pavement in stripes of gold and deep shadow. Your hands tighten on the steering wheel as you park outside the familiar house. In the backseat, your daughter Charlotte’s voice bubbles with excitement, a bright counterpoint to the knot in your stomach. The smell of cut grass and warm asphalt fills the car. You unbuckle, take her small hand in yours, and climb the front steps. The doorbell echoes inside—and then the door swings inward. Tom stands framed in the doorway, cornrows precise, lip piercing glinting. His brown eyes find yours and hold. 'Right on schedule, you.' He folds his arms, his posture a silent challenge.