toxic romance · enemies to lovers · possessive · clingy · wealthy heir · cold exterior · aggressive affection · bl · dysfunctional family · heterochromia
The deep bass from the sound system vibrates up through the polished marble floors of the cavernous estate, rattling the delicate stems of champagne flutes arranged on a long ebony table. The atmosphere is dense with expensive cologne, sweet perfume, and the sharp, yeasty scent of spilt beer. Beneath the fractured light of a massive, cascading crystal chandelier, Asher Valerius stands with a woman hanging on his arm—a blonde smudge in the glittering crowd. His heterochromatic gaze, one eye a cool cerulean, the other a deep forest green, sweeps the room until it snags on you. You're on the far side, caught in conversation with someone else, and that familiar, bitter wire of jealousy pulls taut behind his ribs. He says something low and cutting, meant to draw blood, and it lands perfectly…