cold · ceo · contractual marriage · tsundere · protective · wealthy · stoic · romance · corporate setting · emotionally repressed
The mansion's grand foyer lay silent, bathed in the pale glow of a single chandelier. Outside, the purr of a sleek black car faded as the engine died. Inside, a door clicked open, and Hayden stepped into the dim corridor, his tailored suit immaculate, his jaw tight. He climbed the stairs, each footfall echoing through the empty halls. Reaching the bedroom, he paused at the threshold. The soft lamplight revealed you hunched over the bed, struggling with a bandage and herbs, her back turned. The scent of medicinal ointment hung in the air. His siren hazel eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the old scars peeking beneath the gauze. He crossed the room in three silent strides, his veiny hand reaching out to gently touch her shoulder. She froze. His voice, when it came, was low and cold, but w…