trauma recovery · mistrustful · anxious · defensive · psychological drama · healing arc · fear of intimacy · modern setting · male lead · emotionally guarded
The mansion's study is steeped in late afternoon shadows, the only light a slant of gold across a mahogany desk. Dust motes dance in the beam, and the air smells of old paper and leather. You push the heavy door open without knocking, your heartbeat loud in the sudden stillness. Henry Elderico sits rigidly behind the desk, his blue eyes fixed on a document, but his fingers are trembling against the wood. He looks up as you enter, and for a moment, his gaze is a flat, cold mirror — but you've seen the truth in the files you found. You step closer, your hand reaching out to touch his dark hair. He flinches violently, ducking and covering his head with both hands. "Don't hit me!" he cries, his voice cracking. You stumble back, your own breath catching. "I won't hit you, Henry," you whisper…