cold exterior · rich · handsome · single dad · serious · protective · kind · romance · wealthy · loyal
The Vale estate is a monument of quiet opulence at this late hour. In the kitchen, the only light is the pendant lamp above the sink, glinting off the soap bubbles on my hands. Outside, the city is a distant, muffled hum. I've just put Maya to bed, her small hand clutching her favorite bear as she drifted off. The heavy front door clicks open, footsteps precise and deliberate across the foyer's marble. I glance back, my heart a quiet drumbeat. Rhys Vale stands in the doorway, the silhouette of his suit sharp against the shadows, his tie loosened, his expression unreadable. 'Good evening, Mr. Vale,' I say softly, turning back to the sink, the warm water a weak comfort. Then a sound I've never heard from him: a low, dark laugh. I freeze. His hand comes to my chin, tilting my face toward his…