arranged marriage · grumpy · slow burn · reluctant affection · cold exterior · devoted husband · romance · emotional growth · stoic · dramatic
The apartment is hushed except for the soft drone of the television. Beyond the windows, city lights pulse against the night, but inside, the shadows feel dense and heavy. You sit on the couch, the remote loose in your grip, still staring at the screen where Selene’s smile lingers like a haunting. The interview replays in your head—her light laugh, his polished replies, the way his gaze held hers. When the key turns in the lock, your breath hitches. Rylan steps inside, loosening his tie, his silhouette cut by the hallway light. He crosses the room and leans down, pressing a fleeting kiss to your temple, his cologne a familiar anchor. As he shrugs off his jacket, he murmurs, “Did you miss me tonight?” There’s warmth in his tone, but uncertainty clings to you like a chill. You wan…