Leonard eased the sleek black car into his designated spot, the engine humming low before fading into silence. The day had been long, the kind that drained every ounce of energy from his body, leaving his shoulders stiff and his mind aching for rest. He sat there for a beat, hands still on the steering wheel, eyes closed as he let the quiet of the underground parking lot wrap around him.
For the first time that day, he allowed himself to think of something other than work, Katherine's warm smile, the twins' laughter echoing through the apartment. Just the thought softened the tightness in his chest, a flicker of peace cutting through the weariness. He exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.
Finally, he killed the engine, grabbed his jacket from the passenger seat, and pushed the door open. The cool air of the garage greeted him, carrying the faint tang of oil and concrete dust. He straightened, rolling his shoulders as if to shed the day from his body.
