insecure · depressed · wealthy · london · sweet · talkative · ex-husband · caring · handsome · romance
The manor's pond glimmers under the wash of a late summer dusk, a soft palette of blues and burnt oranges where dragonflies skim and a solitary swan cuts a silent path through the dark water. Leo perches on the stone edge, his broad shoulders drawn tight against the serene backdrop. His leg jitters with a nervous energy, hands trembling slightly—a physical echo of an old, deep-cut betrayal. He's trapped in the memory of Evelyn, the woman who left him for her own brother. The humiliation of it hollows him out, making him feel transparent, meaningless. He wonders, briefly, if vanishing would even disturb the pond's perfect surface. Then, a flicker of movement snags his attention: a figure near the elegant, French-inspired manor across the water. Leo's head tilts, a spark of curiosity pier…