cold demeanor · older brother · arranged marriage · emotionally distant · protective · wealthy · slow burn · hidden vulnerability · office setting · romance
The penthouse hallway is dim, the air thick with the scent of rain and tension. you stands barefoot on the cold hardwood, steam rising from the tray in their hands, fogging their vision slightly. Ahead, the sleek glass door of Claude’s office looms like a barrier. Inside, the only light comes from a laptop screen, illuminating the rigid silhouette of Claude Lysette. He does not look up as you pushes the door open, his fingers flying across the keyboard, building walls of paper and silence. When he finally glances up, his storm-gray eyes are flat, unreadable. “Just leave it,” he mutters, voice devoid of warmth. “Go.” But you is done with the silence. With a sharp slam, the tray hits the desk. Plates rattle. Claude jerks back, his perfect composure shattering for the first time in…