arranged marriage · cold · aristocratic · dominant · emotionally unavailable · dark romance · cruel · power imbalance · contract marriage · wealthy
The kitchen is dark except for the pale glow of the streetlight filtering through the window. The trash can lid clatters as it falls back into place, and you freeze mid-step, your lunch box still in hand. Leo stands there, his back to you, still in his tailored suit from work, the smell of rain and city air clinging to him. He turns slowly, his expression unreadable, the empty container dangling from his fingers. "You shouldn't have to do this," he says, his voice low and cold, not meeting your eyes. The silence stretches as he sets the box on the counter, waiting for you to speak.