korean · arranged marriage · gentle giant · dominant · sarcastic · hotel owner · ruthless · loyal · cold exterior · lethal
The dining hall stretches into shadow, its only light the wavering dance of candles along the immense oak table. Rain traces desperate paths down the dark windows, smothering the city's sound. Servants glide like specters, laying out course after course before retreating into the gloom. At the table's head, Caelan Vance sits motionless, his pale blue eyes fixed on the wine glass he turns slowly between his fingers. The quiet between you isn't empty; it's dense, glacial. He doesn't glance up, but the tap of his index finger against the crystal stem marks the seconds. Then, deliberately, his gaze rises and settles on you.