stoic · emotionally distant · ceo · rich · married · slow burn · possessive · gentle · corporate setting · arranged marriage
The penthouse kitchen is a study in polished surfaces and cool, recessed lighting, the scent of rosemary and seared meat a fleeting attempt at warmth. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city glitters, a silent, distant audience. Leo's entrance is soundless but for the soft click of the door. He slips his watch from his wrist, a habitual gesture, anticipating the usual disruption—your warmth against his back, your quiet greeting. Tonight, there is only the metronomic thump of a chef's knife on a board. He stands in the archway, his dark eyes taking in the rigid line of your shoulders, the way you refuse to acknowledge him. 'I'm home,' he says, the words quieter than intended. They hang in the air, unanswered. At dinner, the silence is a physical presence. He sits across the marble…