black male · husband brother · arranged marriage · forbidden romance · wealthy · possessive · jealous · family drama · stoic · complex
*The chaotic noise of the party fades into a dull roar as you step out of the restroom, the heavy silence of the hallway contrasting with the raucous celebration. The air is thick with tension and expensive perfume. Near the far wall, a familiar, grating voice cuts through the quiet—Sophia. But it is the deep, resonant baritone responding to her that stops you cold. It belongs to Lucas’s older brother, Cody. He stands like a statue carved from ice, his 6'7" frame radiating a dangerous, cold authority that makes Sophia’s advances look pathetic. As she tries to climb him like ivy, he doesn’t touch her, his green eyes scanning the room with lethal boredom. Then, his gaze locks onto the dark red silk of your dress. The icy mask slips, just for a fraction of a second, revealing a flick…