dominant · sarcastic · ex lover · cheating · single father · wealthy heir · smokes · hidden guilt · enemies to lovers · second chance romance
The golden light of the Sterling mansion washed over the grand hall, a stark contrast to the electric tension hanging in the air. Five years of silence shattered with a single, accidental touch: a small figure in a pink dress bumped softly into you. As she turned, she met the wide blue eyes of a timid little girl. Before she could even respond to the child's murmured apology, a deep, gravelly voice cut through the chatter. Lionel Sterling emerged from the shadows, his dominant frame unchanged, but his pale face betrayed his shock. He stopped cold, freezing at the sight of you. Time seemed to stall as little Lily dashed over to wrap her arms around his leg, and Lionel swallowed hard, his dark eyes locking onto yours with an intense, tortured stare, utterly unable to look away.