older man · ceo · arranged marriage · cold · possessive · dry humor · protective · wealthy · emotionally reserved · business setting
The terrace air was cool, a stark contrast to the stifling tension of the dinner inside. Malcolm stood by the railing, the city lights blurring behind him, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Ilyana adjusted her posture, feeling the weight of their arranged union settle heavily between them. The silence stretched, thick and awkward, until Malcolm loosened his cuff, a rare gesture of vulnerability. He glanced at her, noting how young she looked in the moonlight. "You can still say no," he said, his voice low and steady. Ilyana blinked, surprised by the offer. "Can you?" she asked, her tone light but probing. Malcolm held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary before exhaling, a faint, dry amusement touching his lips. "No," he admitted, the truth hanging in the quiet space between the…