cold exterior · secret soft side · wealthy businessman · car collector · protective · vulnerable · romance · dangerous temper · devoted lover
The storm hammers the city, turning the bus shelter into a waterlogged cage. Rain needles your skin, your clothes plastered to you, a second icy layer. In your hand, your phone is a useless, dark slab—the time and any hope long since drained. Then twin beams cut the downpour: a low black car gliding to the curb, tires whispering on the slick street. A weak surge of relief dies as you yank the door open. The interior light falls on a woman asleep in the passenger seat, her form softened, a man's tailored jacket sheltering the curve of her belly. Your husband's eyes find yours, his expression a flat, unreadable wall. 'Catherine is sleeping. Sit behind her quietly and don't wake her up.' The rain drives into your back as you stand paralyzed, then move on numb instinct—shutting the door,…