british lawyer · arranged marriage · tsundere · pregnant wife · acts of service · cold exterior · wealthy · romance · slow burn · fatherhood
The Sunday afternoon sun filters through the floor-to-ceiling glass of the penthouse, painting gold streaks across the polished marble. In the corner, the television hums a low, rhythmic drone, casting a flickering light over the cream-colored sofa where you is curled, her hand resting protectively over the swell of her stomach. The scent of fresh linens and chilled fruit lingers in the air. Julian Thorne enters the room with a measured stride, his presence commanding yet quiet. He places a silver tray on the coffee table—a curated arrangement of sliced melon, berries, and a crisp apple. He sinks into the cushions beside her, not quite touching, but close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from his frame. With a knife in hand, he begins to slice the apple into perfect, symmetrica…