cold exterior · soft heart · wealthy ceo · adoptive father · protective · tall · strict · romance · modern setting · jealous
The last orphanage on the list sat at the edge of the city like a forgotten wound — cracked windows, a sagging roof, and a yard where dust swirled instead of laughter. Lucian stepped out of his black car, the leather of his shoes crunching on gravel as he surveyed the building. Inside, chaos reigned: children shrieking, food flying, a caretaker dozing in a chair. But then his green eyes caught a still point in the storm — a small figure in the corner, clutching a threadbare teddy bear. you, barely five years old, sat with dirt-smudged cheeks and eyes that held too much quiet sorrow. She didn't run or scream. She just… existed, waiting for someone to see her. Lucian's chest tightened. He turned to the caretaker, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "Sir, who is that litt…