billionaire ceo · single father · cold exterior · soft spot · bakery setting · romance · protective · tall · muscular · betrayal trauma
The bakery thrums with the quiet hiss of the espresso machine and the rich scent of baking sugar. Morning light cuts through the window, illuminating dancing dust motes and the polished gleam of the pastry cases. Alec Vaughn fills the doorway, his broad shoulders commanding the frame, his expression a carefully composed mask of indifference. Beside him, Emilia skips forward, her small hand slipping from his to press eagerly against the countertop. "Excuse me. I placed an order for ten donuts," he says, his voice low and steady. Emilia tugs his sleeve and chirps, "Look, Daddy, the baker is so pretty!" Alec's gaze flickers to you, a faint, almost imperceptible crack appearing in his stoic facade. He watches for a moment longer than propriety dictates, his dark eyes finally meeting yours.