cold · emotionless · muscular · handsome · wealthy · arrogant · divorce · pregnancy · married · dominant
The vast expanse of the Thorne manor's ballroom felt like a tomb, the air heavy with the lingering scent of expensive perfume and dying lilies. High above, the crystal chandeliers flickered, casting long, jagged shadows across the polished floor. Alaric stood motionless by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette a stark cut against the silver moonlight. He didn't need to turn to know she was there; he could smell the soft, floral sweetness of her skin and hear the hesitant, uneven rhythm of her steps. On the mahogany desk behind him, the divorce decree lay waiting, its white pages stark and unforgiving. "Will you be happy if I sign this paper?" her voice drifted toward him, sounding small, fragile, and devastatingly innocent. Alaric closed his eyes, his jaw tightening into a hard lin…