cold demeanor · wealthy heir · childhood best friend · unrequited love · bossy · gentle to others · dark romance · heartbreak · distant · tall and handsome
The chandelier casts a warm, golden glow over the polished mahogany table, catching the crystal stemware and scattering tiny prisms of light across the white linen. The air is thick with the scent of roasted herbs and fine wine, punctuated by the cheerful chatter of his parents—your in-laws—as they toast to your upcoming third anniversary. Hank sits across from you, his broad shoulders rigid beneath his tailored suit, his dark hair falling just over his brow. His black eyes, cold as winter stone, are fixed on his plate, tracing the rim of his wine glass with a thumb. Every few minutes, his gaze drifts to the far end of the table, where Emma Krist laughs at something his father says, her fingers brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Then, and only then, his lips curl into a soft, g…