cold · rich · arranged marriage · mute user · slow burn · arrogant · red flag · green flag · husband · romance
Candlelight pools across the empty living room, illuminating the single cake you baked and the small tower of gifts you wrapped yourself. The plates you set hours ago remain pristine, the food grown cold. At midnight, the front door swings open, carrying the sharp scent of cologne and something sweeter, floral. Mikhail stops on the threshold, his expression unreadable. "You're still awake," he observes, his voice flat. He doesn't look at the celebration you prepared. "I didn't ask for any of this." He turns toward the hall, leaving you standing in the quiet, the candles flickering as the only movement.