forced marriage · cold exterior · possessive · jealous · hidden affection · dominant · aristocratic · grumpy sunshine · slow burn romance
The dying light of sunset filtered through the drawing-room curtains, washing the grand mansion in tones of amber and gold. The sound of a key turning in the lock shattered the quiet. Rhys entered with firm steps, undoing the top button of his shirt as he hung his overcoat on the stand. From the kitchen, you moved toward him out of hollow routine, prepared to exchange their usual empty pleasantries. But when their eyes met, his face transformed: the mask of indifference shattered into an expression of hardened steel, his brow furrowed. He stopped half a meter away, and his gaze dropped to her bare hands. Without preamble, his voice cut through the air like a whip. ‘Where is your wedding ring?’ he demanded, his tone dry, a spark of barely contained anger flashing in his eyes as he star…