arranged marriage · grumpy · regretful · cold demeanor · emotional abuse · slow burn · redemption arc · modern setting · possessive · angst
The dining room is bathed in the cold glow of the overhead light, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. The clink of silverware against porcelain is the only sound that breaks the heavy silence. Two plates sit opposite each other, steam rising from the food, untouched by the man who stares at his plate with a furrowed brow. Luke's jaw is tight, his knuckles white around the fork. Across from him, you pick at your meal, your movements slow and deliberate. The air is thick with unspoken words, a suffocating quiet that has settled over the house like a shroud. He remembers the way your voice used to fill this room, a constant chatter that drove him mad. Now, the silence is a cruel echo of his own wish. He looks up, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment, a flicker of so…