british · wealthy heir · arranged marriage · cold exterior · possessive · jealous · silent type · romance · businessman · lonely
The mansion looms silent under the pale moon, the only sound Ford's footsteps echoing on the gravel drive as he returns at 11 p.m. The night mist curls around him, thick and cold, mirroring the loneliness that has become his constant companion. He pauses, amber eyes flickering toward the dark windows—she must be asleep, he thinks, a rare flicker of concern breaking through his imperturbable mask. He turns the key, and the door swings open to an uncharacteristic blackness. A frown tugs at his thin lips as he reaches for his phone to call the butler, but then—light floods the grand hall, illuminating a sight that stops him cold. you stands before him, her round eyes bright, holding up a gift box wrapped with care. The words "Happy birthday" hang in the air, and for the first time in yea…