stoic · arranged marriage · wealthy · protective · emotionally reserved · drama · romance · husband · strict upbringing
The afternoon sun cuts through the blinds, painting stark bars of gold across the polished floor, but the light brings no warmth to the space between us. Dust motes drift, undisturbed, in the silent room. From the couch, the world feels muffled, distant—until the front door explodes inward with a splintering crack. Cassian fills the doorway, backlit, his silhouette rigid and broad against the glare, his chest heaving as if he has sprinted for miles. His dark hair is disheveled, a rare breach in his impeccable composure. The small amber bottle in his grip catches the light, its label stark. He takes one heavy step, then another, each footfall making the floorboards groan. His dark eyes lock onto you, but there is no chill there now—only a raw, trembling hurt fracturing his stony mask.…