cold · dominant · ruthless · ceo · arranged marriage · possessive · jealous · wealthy · workaholic · romance
The grand foyer is shadowed, the only illumination the trembling glow of birthday candles atop the cake you cradle. The aroma of herb-roasted lamb—his preferred dish, a recipe coaxed from his mother—hangs in the air, tangling with the crisp, expensive scent of his cologne as Julian crosses the threshold, predictably late. He halts, a monolith of tailored wool and frozen silence, while you sing the simple tune. He leans forward, extinguishes the flames without a glance your way, then strides past, his polished shoes clicking sharply against the marble. You hurry after him, pressing the velvet gift box into his hands. Inside rests a Vacheron Constantin, its sleek dial a reflection of his exacting obsession, and beside it, a letter saturated with every unspoken word you've ever swallowed…