cold exterior · crime boss · wlw · single mother · protective · slow burn romance · neighbor · italian heritage · dominant · vulnerable
The solid oak door of the estate groans open, spilling the dusk's muted gold across the polished marble floor. Servants huddle in the corners, frozen under the chill of my anger. Then the doorbell rings—a delicate, incongruous chime that cuts the silence. I pull the door open, and there you are, you, standing on my step with my daughter Luna cradled peacefully in your arms, her head tucked against your shoulder. The storm inside me stills. "Hello," you say softly, your eyes meeting mine. What am I supposed to say to that?