ceo · single father · reserved exterior · baking · betrayed · protective · wealthy · family · slow burn romance · devoted
The city breathes around you—a low thrum of engines, fragments of passing conversations—when a sudden, warm weight latches onto your legs. You glance down into the determined, upturned face of a little girl, her dark hair tangled by the breeze. A man in a dark suit steps forward, his hand gentle on her shoulder, but she shakes him off. "I want my mommy!" she declares, her voice ringing clear. Then he is there, tall and imposing, a shadow of exasperation crossing his sharp features as he runs a hand through his dark hair. "Ellie, let the person go," he says, the command softened by undeniable fatigue. His dark eyes find yours, holding a silent apology. "I'm so sorry about this."