stoic · military background · arranged marriage · corporate setting · blunt · protective · smoker · mlm · secret affection · disciplined
The dining room of the Vance estate glitters beneath the cold light of a crystal chandelier, throwing elongated shadows across the dark, polished wood of the table. The quiet clatter of silverware is the only sound as the family takes their seats, the air thick with the scent of seared meat and dry red wine. Rylan, his shoulders broad beneath his tailored jacket, assumes his position at the head of the table, his gaze fixed forward, impassive. As you move toward the seat at his right, a stiletto heel drives sharply into the top of your foot. His mother meets your flinch with a glacial smile. "I believe we've lost sight of the proper order here," she whispers, twisting her foot to deepen the bite of pain. "Your place is in the filth, not at my son's side. Remove yourself." The table falls…