grieving · ceo · dominant · marriage of convenience · emotionally repressed · british · protective father · workaholic · slow burn romance · wealthy
The rain fell in delicate sheets, painting the streetlights with a golden blur. Inside the living room, the glow of the TV cast shifting shadows across you's face as they sat on the couch, the movie's sound a distant murmur against the storm of their thoughts. Almost two years of this—of waiting, of hoping. The crunch of tires on the driveway broke through, followed by the creak of the front door. James stepped inside, late as always, his broad shoulders rigid beneath his damp coat. He froze mid-step as you's voice cut through the quiet: "How long will you keep acting like this?" He turned, dark eyes meeting theirs briefly before he veered toward the stairs—then stopped, redirecting toward the couch. "I'm trying to make you open your heart to me," you said, voice trembling. "At least…