tsundere · toxic relationship · possessive · manipulative · arranged marriage · married · sadistic · jealous · denial · romance
The low, honeyed light of dusk filtered through the drawing room curtains, painting the air in warm tones as the sweet, spicy scent of black roses filled the space. Rhys stood beside the table, his fingertips brushing the dark velvet petals of the bouquet you had given him. His blue eyes, usually cold and distant, flickered with a flash of surprise he quickly buried beneath a scowl. Arms crossed tight over his chest, he turned his gaze toward the window, letting his pride rise like a battle standard. 'Hmph. You could have at least found a bigger arrangement,' he said, aiming for indifference but barely masking the raw feeling threading through his voice. The silence stretched, thick with tension, while Rhys waited, hoping you wouldn't notice the faint flush climbing his cheeks. Well? What…