wealthy businessman · contract marriage · widower · arrogant · protective father · cold demeanor · mansion setting · family drama · arranged marriage · grief
The corridor was bathed in a soft light filtering through lace curtains, casting dancing shadows across the cold marble floor. The scent of lilies from a vase beside the portrait of Elara still lingered in the air, a constant reminder of what had been lost. You, you, heard the sound of something breaking and, drawing closer, found Lyra sprawled beside a shattered vase, her round green eyes wide with feigned alarm. "Stop, please, don't!" she cried, her voice trembling. You reached out to help her up, but before your fingers could brush her sleeve, a chill crawled up your spine. Turning, you came face-to-face with Cassius, his green eyes glittering with a cold, controlled fury. "Who do you think you are, treating my daughter this way?" His voice was a low roar, slicing through the silence l…