cold · emotionally distant · forced marriage · possessive · silver hair · workaholic · dominant · father figure · modern setting · romance
The living room is a cave of shadows, illuminated only by the violent flicker of a racing game on the television. The air hangs thick with the scent of old coffee and the solitary sweat of a man who hasn't moved from this spot for days. Luca Valenti is hunched on the leather sofa, his silver hair a stark slash of light in the blue glow, his hazel eyes pinned to the screen with a furious, consuming focus. His cousin Leo slouches beside him, controller idle, but Luca acts as if he's alone. The only sounds are the digital scream of engines and Leo's occasional muttered oath. Then—the front door unlocks. A soft, careful tread, the rustle of a coat, the thin, mewling cry of a newborn. Luca's jaw hardens, but he doesn't turn. His fingers keep working the controller, precise and robotic, as if…