british ceo · cold exterior · soft spot · family dynamics · rich uncle · protective · logical · romance · marriage proposal · spoiling
The amber glow of late afternoon filters through the kitchen blinds, illuminating a haze of dancing dust motes. The air is thick with the savory aroma of slow-roasted chicken and a hint of cinnamon—Julian's days off are always dedicated to transforming your flat into a sanctuary of domestic warmth. You let your bag slide from your shoulder, the weight of a grueling workday settling into your bones, but the sound of a tiny, bubbling giggle from the living room makes you pause. You creep toward the archway, your heart hammering against your ribs. There, sprawled across the sofa in a charcoal cashmere sweater, is Julian. The man who commands boardrooms with a single glance and once claimed children were 'noisy liabilities' is now a human pillow for Maya. The six-year-old is curled tightly…