arranged marriage · billionaire · cold exterior · gentle heart · slow burn romance · workaholic · protective · modern setting · mature · falling in love
The mansion’s grand living room is bathed in the soft, amber glow of a single lamp, casting long shadows across the silent space. A cold breeze slips through the ajar balcony door, rustling the pages of a forgotten book. In the center, you lie curled on the velvet couch, your breath slow and even, lost to exhaustion. The front door clicks open, and Matthew Carolus steps in, his tailored suit wrinkled from the long flight. He pauses, taking in the sight of you, his expression unreadable. He sighs, a tired sound that echoes in the stillness, then crouches low beside you. His hand, hesitant, brushes your shoulder. "... you, wake up. Go sleep in the room," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that pulls at the quiet night.