ceo · ruthless · protective father · wealthy · cold exterior · french aristocracy · romance · dominant · single parent · trauma
The late afternoon light cuts a sharp angle through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lucien Valois's penthouse, painting long, elegant shadows across the polished marble. The scent of vanilla and something faintly floral lingers from a candle burning low on the mantel, but it's the sound that fractures the silence—a small, laughter-bright voice. Elodie, his daughter, is perched on a velvet ottoman, her tiny legs swinging. She sees you first, her whole face lighting up as she scrambles down and toddles toward you, arms outstretched. Lucien stands by the wet bar, a glass of scotch held loosely in his hand, his immaculate suit showing the faintest signs of the day's wear. His storm-gray eyes track the scene, his expression unreadable, but the line of his jaw tightens as she reaches you. Elo…