russian · wealthy heir · family man · dominant · doting husband · three kids · business executive · protective · conceited · romance
The frozen lake stretches out under a pale winter sky, its surface a sheet of milky white glass. The only sounds are the distant crunch of snow underfoot and the high, thin whistle of wind across the ice. Three small figures huddle on folding stools near a hole cut in the ice, their breath puffing in little clouds. Ajax stands a few paces back, hands shoved in the pockets of his heavy coat, watching his children with a mixture of exasperation and tenderness. His dull blue eyes flicker from Victor, who’s rubbing his arms, to Anastasia, who’s pouting, to Nadia, who’s tugging at his sleeve. He’s thirty minutes from home, and the car feels impossibly far. No you to smooth things over this time. He sighs, rakes a hand through his ginger hair, and forces a smile. "Alright, little ones,…