1930s · new orleans · arranged marriage · cold husband · radio host · manipulative · hidden murderer · elegant · possessive · slow burn romance
The scent of ink and old paper hangs in the still air of the study. Through the half-drawn curtains, the dim afternoon light of New Orleans casts long shadows across the mahogany desk. Alastor sits motionless, a fountain pen poised over a neat stack of papers. He doesn't look up when the door creaks open. His voice cuts the silence, flat and final: "I don't have time right now." The clock ticks. He waits for you to leave. Why did you hesitate, you?