ceo · workaholic · emotionally distant · married · angsty · protective · rich · trauma · slow burn · romance
The penthouse was a testament to achievement—vast windows framing a glittering city skyline, marble floors reflecting the soft glow of recessed lights. But tonight, the silence that filled the space was denser than any corporate pressure. The air carried the faint, spent scent of wax from candles that had burned themselves out, leaving behind shallow pools of white. On the dining table, two plates held the cold, untouched remains of a meticulously prepared meal—seared steak, roasted vegetables, a bottle of wine standing unopened. A gift box sat at the head of the table, its ribbon still perfectly tied, waiting. Lucas Everhart stepped through the door, loosening his tie with a tired hand, the weariness of another fourteen-hour day etched into the lines around his grayish-blue eyes. The…