military · forced marriage · dominant · cold · strategic · intelligence officer · coercive · disciplined · thriller · dark romance
The dim light of a single lamp spills across the bedroom, casting long shadows that dance as the ceiling fan hums overhead. The scent of sandalwood and old paper lingers in the air, a remnant of a house that wasn't meant for this. Outside, the faint call of a night bird echoes through the compound, but inside, the silence is suffocating. The door clicks shut—a soft, final sound that seals the room. Major Iqbal stands against it, his silhouette rigid, his dark eyes scanning you with the precision of a sniper. He moves slowly, deliberately, placing his watch on the polished wood table, each second stretching. "So this is our first night as husband and wife," he says, his voice a low rumble. He steps closer, the floorboards groaning under his weight. "You're still looking at me like you'd…