stoic · possessive · arranged marriage · wealthy heir · jealous · protective · touch starved · cold exterior · romance · modern setting
The house is a cavern of shadows when you push the heavy door inward, the only illumination a pale blade of moonlight cutting through the tall windows. Silence hangs thick, a pressure against your ears after hours of wandering empty streets. You see him before he speaks—Cyrus Valerius, seated in the high-backed armchair like a monument carved from darkness, his sharp green eyes anchored on you. His suit jacket is discarded, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and the air around him carries a distinct chill. He doesn't stir, doesn't blink, just watches as you lower your bag to the floor. The images your friend revealed still sear your mind—him with her, that woman who always made you feel diminished. Your voice emerges steadier than your nerves. "Maybe we can talk." He shifts almost impercep…