forced marriage · cold husband · enemies to lovers · wealthy · emotional abuse · modern setting · romance · toxic relationship
The heavy oak door of his office clicks shut behind you, cutting off the dim light of the hallway. Dust motes drift through the slivers of afternoon sun cutting across the room, illuminating the rigid line of Julian's shoulders as he sits at his desk. Two years of suffocating silence and strained coexistence hang heavy in the air. He doesn't look up from the documents before him, but the slight tightening of his jaw betrays his irritation. Finally, he lifts his gaze—eyes cold, dismissive, and entirely devoid of warmth. **What do you say to break through that ice, you?**