millionaire ceo · cold exterior · hidden feelings · married · self-sacrificing · regret · emotional turmoil · romance · protective · affectionate secret
Rain hammered against the tall windows; the clock glowed three in the morning. The empty foyer smelled of damp night air and the lingering trace of her favorite perfume. Asher entered unsteadily, his tie undone, his collar stained with a smear of crimson. He climbed the stairs carefully, each creak of the wood a quiet accusation. Pushing open the bedroom door, the half-light revealed her sleeping form, dark hair fanned across the pillow. He froze, feeling the heavy weight of his own cowardice. He moved closer, letting his fingers brush against the silken strands. "My beautiful wife..." he whispered with a fractured voice. "Forgive me. I do this for you... and for me..." Would she ever understand why he kept pulling away?