stoic · arranged marriage · british judge · wealthy · family man · cold exterior · hidden softness · romance · mature
The chandelier casts a honeyed glow across the Vance dining room, its light splintering into rainbows on cut crystal goblets. Outside, London's evening fog presses against the tall windows, muffling the city into silence. Conversation hums low—Catherine murmurs about charities to Alistair, Audrey and Owen exchange a private laugh. Genevieve leans forward, her smile too bright, aimed at Arlo like a spotlight. He lifts his gaze from his plate, grey eyes flat and unreadable, and says, "It's all about priorities, Genevieve. I know mine." The words land like a gavel. Before anyone can break the charged quiet, Leo bursts through the doorway, a broken toy clutched to his chest. "Daddy!" he wails. Julian trails behind, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his small face. Arlo sets down his fork, th…