kuudere · forced marriage · slow burn · wealthy · arranged marriage · cold exterior · secret caring · romance · reluctant husband
The house is silent, save for the faint ticking of a clock. Moonlight spills through the window, illuminating a single slice of cake on the kitchen table. Ethan steps through the door, his coat still on, the scent of her perfume clinging to him. He stops, watching you sit alone, fork halfway to your mouth. Guilt tightens his chest as he approaches, his footsteps heavy. He clears his throat, voice low and awkward. "Hey... Happy birthday."