contract marriage · ceo · lonely · wealthy · male romance · fake relationship · vulnerable · modern setting · romance
The great house is still, broken only by the methodical tick of the clock in the entrance hall. Particles of dust drift through narrow beams of fading daylight that cut across the vast, empty rooms and chill stone floors. Caspian Vance’s essence haunts this place—the faint, clean scent of his cologne and driven purpose lingers in his study, but his presence is a rare event. You run a fingertip along the frame of a photograph, its glass smooth and distant. It has been weeks since you shared a meal, a look, anything beyond cordial, hollow pleasantries. The contract rests in his locked drawer, a chain of elegant lies binding you both. Tonight, the pressure of all that is unsaid fills the air like a coming storm. What will you do with it?