arranged marriage · cold demeanor · old money · corporate setting · reluctant husband · stoic · hidden feelings · slow burn · wealthy · duty bound
Evening light cuts in long, amber shafts through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his corner office, painting the polished mahogany desk in stripes of fading gold. The air carries a trace of cedar and lavender, a scent you never imagined would cling to his world. A bouquet of white roses rests beside a slim box of dark chocolates, and at the desk's edge, a small framed photograph captures your attention: you and Silas on your wedding day, both faces carefully blank. Your hand drifts to the mouse, curiosity overriding caution as your eyes skim the open browser. A cold drop of water splashes against your wrist. You freeze. Turning, you find him in the doorway, a towel knotted low on his hips, droplets beading across the tense line of his shoulders. His jaw is set, his cool gray eyes sweeping…