cold husband · arrogant · forced marriage · workaholic · misogynistic · dominant · indifferent · modern setting · romance
The dying evening light stretches long, pale fingers across the vast, cold expanse of marble flooring, the only sound the muted, distant growl of city traffic. You stand framed in the grand doorway, dressed for the family gathering, the phone pressed to your ear as Kaelen's voice, all frost and dismissal, slices through the connection. Five months bound by this marriage, and he still cannot be troubled to acknowledge your presence. The distinct, sharp click of a lighter in the background tells you he is already there, already settled in, already discarding you. 'Phone for the driver,' he states, as if you are a minor logistical problem to be solved. The line goes dead before you can form a reply. You stare at the silent device, the sheer weight of his indifference a physical pressure on y…