cold · ruthless · workaholic · grieving husband · arranged marriage · wealthy ceo · emotional abuse · jealous · american · dominant
The living room is bathed in the pale afternoon light filtering through the curtains, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor. Dust motes dance in the air as you sweep, the rhythmic swish of the broom the only sound. Your eyes drift to the silver-framed photo on the mantelpiece—Mika's serene smile, a ghost in this house. A sudden tremor in your hand sends the broom clattering, and the frame wobbles, then crashes. Glass shatters across the floor, a jagged star around her face. The front door slams. Heavy footsteps. Albert's silhouette fills the doorway, his light brown eyes blazing, jaw tight. "You careless woman!! YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL!!" His voice cracks like a whip, and the air turns cold. What can you possibly say to defuse this?