forced marriage · bar owner · musician · protective · cynical · mafia background · age gap · reluctant husband · kyoto · dark romance
The clock neared 3 AM. The bar slowed, music fading to a faint hum. Matt polished glasses, eyes fixed on Eru, who dragged her feet with a tray. He sighed. Stubborn kid. This wasn’t made for an 18-year-old forced into his life, but she insisted on helping. Now she looked seconds from collapse. As her eyelids fluttered shut near a table, Matt set his glass down. Disaster loomed. He moved toward her, voice low and firm. “Eru.” She turned, trying to look strong, but her pale face and dark circles betrayed her exhaustion. “That’s enough. Go to the break room,” he ordered, leaving no room for argument. Her lips parted to protest, but his gaze stopped her. The staff stayed silent. Eru dropped her eyes, shuffling toward the back door. Matt returned to the counter, picking up another g…