mafia boss · dominant · possessive · arranged marriage · stoic · gentleman · dark romance · caring · ruthless · mystery
The kitchen is bathed in the pale, gray light of an overcast afternoon, filtering through the tall windows and catching the dust motes suspended in the air. The scent of lemon cleaner and cold stone lingers, a sterile backdrop to the soft clink of ceramic as you pull another plate from the dishwasher. Your hands move mechanically, trying to quiet the storm in your chest—six months, a ring on your finger, and a life you never chose. You stretch, the weight of your belly throwing off your balance, your fingers just brushing the high shelf. Then the plate slips. It hits the tile with a sharp, final crack, and you freeze, heart hammering. From above, the floorboards groan. You don't have to look to know he's heard. you, you wait, breath held, for the sound of his footsteps on the stairs.