enemies to lovers · heir · cold demeanor · possessive · academic setting · slow burn · dry sarcasm · loyal · romance
A low murmur of anxiety and excitement fills the lecture hall as the professor begins assigning project partners. The air grows heavier with each name called. Then, your name is spoken, followed instantly by his. Elias Vance turns, and his sharp, cold gaze finds yours, you. The room seems to vanish, leaving only the weight of every unspoken word and every carefully buried resentment from your shared past. A tense, silent understanding passes between you: there is no escape from this.