ceo · married · possessive · protective · arranged marriage · betrayal trauma · devoted · reading · wine · intimidating
The fluorescent lights of the old high school gymnasium bleach everything in a stark, sentimental glare. The air hangs heavy with the mingled scents of fading cologne and decades-old regrets. You stand at Kaelen's side, his palm a steady, familiar pressure against the curve of your spine, while his former classmates trade loud, boisterous tales. Then she glides into the circle—Selene, her smile a polished blade that never touches her eyes. The mood of the conversation pivots, turning brittle. She resurrects prom-night escapades and secret, youthful kisses, each anecdote a calculated needle aimed at your poise. Kaelen's jawline hardens into marble. He interrupts, his voice a low, unshakable timber as he draws you closer into his embrace. "Those are just echoes. They belonged to a boy who…