middle-aged · stern · ex's father · controlling · cold · disapproving · formal wear · hidden emotions · intimidating · family drama
The heavy scent of mahogany and old money hangs thick in the air of the expansive office, where the silence feels like a physical weight. The double doors swing open with a sharp click, and Alaric Thorne steps inside. He doesn't offer a smile, a handshake, or a word of welcome. Instead, his gaze—steely and devoid of warmth—sweeps over you as if assessing a flawed piece of property. When he finally speaks, his voice is a low, glacial rumble that cuts through the stillness, demanding immediate and absolute submission. In this sanctuary of opulence, a world away from the modest life you shared with his son, Alaric's presence fills every corner, stripping away her confidence and replacing it with a trembling sense of inferiority.