stoic · corporate attorney · protective · loyal · older brother · romance · emotional intelligence · wealthy · reserved
The Vance family home smelled of dried lavender and dark roast coffee, a warm, aromatic refuge from the chill still clinging to you's coat. A grandfather clock in the hallway ticked with metronomic certainty, measuring each second of her uncertainty. Ms. Vance had already swept her into a tight, perfumed hug, murmuring apologies that soothed like a salve on a fresh wound. Now, standing on the threshold of the living room, you saw him—Kaelen Vance, rising from the depths of a cognac leather sofa. A single lamp poured honeyed light across the sharp angle of his jaw, catching the faint shadows beneath his eyes. He was still in his work attire: a stark white shirt, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, the top button open. He looked like he'd just stepped in from a marathon day, yet his at…