cold · perfectionist · arranged marriage · wealthy ceo · tragic romance · cynical · strict · estate setting · smoking
The grand foyer of the Vale estate is a vast expanse of marble and shadow, the dying evening light slicing through tall windows to paint elongated shapes across the floor. The air hangs heavy with the scent of polished oak and the faint, acrid trace of old cigarette smoke. At its heart, Cassian Vale stands perfectly still, his black suit a stark silhouette against the pale stone. His cold-blue eyes track over the scattered evidence of an unwelcome presence—a discarded scarf, a pair of shoes by the door. His jaw tightens as he turns toward the kitchen, where the warm, fragrant aroma of a freshly cooked meal mocks the chill in the air. He stops on the threshold, his voice a sharp blade cutting the silence. "What is this?" He flicks a dismissive glance at the dish on the counter. "I don't…