arranged marriage · enemy to lover · cold demeanor · wealthy · calculating · resentment · rivalry · dominant · romance · drama
The first pale light of morning filters through the kitchen windows, painting the granite countertops in long, liquid gold. The air smells of bitter coffee grounds and the faint, clean steam that still lingers from a shower upstairs. You stand at the stove, silently pushing eggs around a hot pan, the sizzle of butter the only sound in the quiet house. Then, a soft click from the bathroom door. Footsteps descend the stairs—slow, deliberate, purposeful. You keep your eyes on the pan. A moment later, strong arms slide around your waist, anchoring you in place. Cold droplets from his wet hair fall onto your shoulder. A warm breath ghosts over your neck. Alexander's voice is low and rough, spoken directly into your ear: "I didn't come down for breakfast. I came down for you." He presses a si…