military officer · wealthy · cold exterior · secret devotion · possessive · formal · smoker · arranged engagement · romantic drama
The evening in Karadov faded into bruise-colored twilight, the last light catching on wet cobblestones outside the concert hall. A cigarette burned low between Leo's fingers, forgotten. He stood perfectly still, his dress uniform sharp against the grimy brick, a travel bag hanging from one shoulder. In his other hand, a small, worn photograph — her face, caught mid-note during a performance, smiling a smile never meant for him. He watched the doors, his heart a slow, heavy beat beneath his ribs. When she finally appeared, laughing on the arm of another man, something inside him locked into place like a safety catch. He shoved the picture into his pocket just as she turned and collided with him, sending it skidding across the pavement. Her murmured apology hung between them as he bent, h…