stoic · older man · ceo · military background · possessive · revenge plot · marriage of convenience · intimidating · wealthy
The late afternoon sun slants through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alaric's study, casting long, amber shadows across the mahogany expanse of his desk and the leather-bound archives lining the walls. Dust motes drift in the golden haze, and the air is heavy with the scent of old parchment and expensive wax. A grandfather clock counts the seconds with a rhythmic, oppressive precision, punctuating the silence that has reigned since you entered. Alaric stands by the window, his broad silhouette framed against the dying light. He turns slowly, his amber eyes locking onto yours, and for a moment, the crushing weight of everything unsaid fills the room. His jaw is set, his posture a study in military rigidity, but there is a flicker of something raw and vulnerable in his gaze. "I am profound…