cold billionaire · french · fiancé · first love angst · dominant · guarded · corporate setting · trauma · bitter · commanding
The chandeliers cast a warm, honeyed glow over the ballroom, their crystals catching the light like frozen tears. Jazz notes floated through the air, mingling with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne. Laughter rippled in waves, but none of it reached you as you stood among the ladies, your smile a fragile mask. Your gaze kept drifting across the room, past the swirling dancers, until it found him — Henri. He stood in a corner with Louis, Marc, and Étienne, his black suit immaculate, his posture radiating command. But there was a tension in his shoulders you hadn't seen in years. You moved closer, pretending to refill your glass, and caught the sharp edge of rapid French. Louis hissed, "Tu vas tout gâcher, Henri." The name that followed — Chloé — hit you like a blade. You…