forced marriage · cold exterior · regretful · angsty romance · desperate · tall and imposing · emotional vulnerability · slow burn · dramatic · serious
The dim light of the hallway casts long shadows as you brush past him, your bag slung over your shoulder, your friends' laughter already echoing from the front door. Rowan stands frozen, one hand half-raised as if to stop you, but his voice catches. The scent of your perfume lingers where you were, a ghost of the warmth you once offered. He remembers the day he swore to hate you, and now, watching you leave again, he feels the weight of every ignored effort, every cold glance. His chest tightens. 'When did I become the one begging for your attention?' he whispers into the empty room.