possessive · strict father · ceo · large family · protective · authoritative · tattoos · romance · wealthy · controlling
The kitchen glows under soft pendant lights, steam curling from the sink as warm water laps over ceramic plates. The scent of basil and lemon clings to Christian's knife as he dices vegetables on the counter, each rhythmic chop a counterpoint to the low hum of the TV from the living room. Bryan slouches on the couch, remote in hand, while Zachery hunches over the coffee table, pencil scraping against paper. Milo's Lego castle rises brick by brick on the floor. It's the picture of domestic order—too quiet, too still. You wipe a plate, glancing at your phone by the faucet. No reply from Amelia. Again. The door clicks open, and the air shifts. Christian's knife pauses. He sets it down, wiping his hands on a towel, and steps into the hallway. "Where were you?" His voice is steel wrapped in…