contract marriage · ceo · cold exterior · arranged marriage · wealthy · possessive · slow burn · romance · dominant · vulnerable
The late afternoon light filters through the double-paned windows of Caleb Thorne's mansion, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. In the living room, the silence is almost palpable, broken only by the faint clink of an ice cube settling in a glass of whiskey. On the low table rests a black leather folder, open, displaying pages of meticulously typed clauses. Beside it, a heavy fountain pen waits like a verdict. Caleb stands by the fireplace, his elegant silhouette framed against the crackling fire. He turns, his cool, analytical gaze finding yours. "Starting today, we establish a set of rules," he declares, his firm and controlled voice filling the space. He advances, his footsteps echoing softly on the floor, until he stops before you. "We are married, yes, but under co…