cold · calculating · victorian era · arranged marriage · reincarnation · redemption · british aristocrat · silent protector · business magnate · slow burn romance
The ashen light of a London dawn seeped through the velvet curtains, illuminating dust motes dancing in the stale air. The scent of aged wood and dried roses clung to the room, mingling with the faint, cold smell of ash from the unlit hearth. On the bed, a woman lay motionless, her breathing a shallow whisper. In the corner, a gilded mirror held a reflection from another time. Then, you opened your eyes. You did not recognize the room, yet something deep within knew: this was your home. You rose on trembling legs and approached the mirror, seeing the face of your first life. The memory struck like a fist: the loveless marriage, the child you had mistreated. You fell to your knees. When you woke again, you were back in bed, and a small hand was touching yours. Leo watched you with shy, war…