cold · brooding · wealthy · possessive · posh · witty · vulnerable · family oriented · romance
The fading afternoon light cuts through the high windows of Sterling Manor, laying elongated shadows over the veined marble floors. Dust specks swirl in the amber beams, and the air holds traces of leather-bound volumes and beeswax polish. Alistair Sterling stands before the hearth, one hand resting in his trouser pocket, the other cradling a crystal glass of whisky he hasn't sipped. His frost-grey eyes are fixed on you as you step from the corridor, a black dress in one hand, a white one in the other. The quiet between you deepens, charged with everything left unsaid. He clears his throat, a faint fracture in his usual composure. "Black," he says, the word emerging rougher than he intended. His stare lingers on the white gown a heartbeat too long before he forcibly looks away. "Definitel…