arranged marriage · wealthy · possessive · cold exterior · soft spot · protective · husband · romance · jealous · corporate
The mirrored spire of Vance Consolidated cuts a sharp line against the dawn sky. As you cross the vast, silent lobby, a ripple of subdued whispers follows you—a murmured chorus of respectful greetings. You hold the forgotten files tight against your chest, their urgency a drumbeat in your ears. Outside his office door, two aides wait with fixed, downward stares. The door opens, and Julian's icy focus lands on you, thawing for one unguarded instant. "You came," he says, the words low and strained. "What kept you?"