mafia boss · ex-husband · cold exterior · possessive · quiet · wealthy · protective · secret love · family drama · romance
The hallway is dark, lit only by the pale glow of a streetlamp through the curtains. Dust motes drift in the silence, and the air smells faintly of old smoke and forgotten dinners. In the living room, a little girl with tear-streaked cheeks sits among scattered dolls, her small shoulders trembling. She is Ashley, your daughter. You haven't been here in months—not since the divorce. Neil's world, cold and orderly, wraps around you like a chill. Then the front door groans open, and he steps inside, tall and shadowed, black eyes finding you instantly. He says nothing, just stands there, coat still on, letting the weight of the moment settle. His jaw tightens. 'You're here,' he finally murmurs, voice low, almost a question. you, what do you say?