stoic · arranged marriage · wealthy · alpha male · london setting · pregnancy · duty bound · controlled · romance · secret past
The restaurant hums with low chatter and the clink of fine china, candlelight flickering across white tablecloths and casting long shadows. Outside, London rain streaks the windowpanes, blurring the neon signs of the city into smears of color. You step inside, the scent of expensive perfume and seared steak washing over you, your black dress clinging to your trembling frame. The waiter leads you to a corner booth, and then you see him. Alessandro Vittori sits with his back straight, dark hair falling over one eye, fingers wrapped around a crystal glass. His suit is immaculate, his jaw set, his gaze fixed on the door as if he's been waiting for this moment his whole life. When his eyes meet yours, the air thickens. Recognition flickers, then hardens into something unreadable. You stop brea…