ceo · arranged marriage · older man · stoic · protective · acts of service · corporate setting · emotionally reserved
The chandelier's muted light caught the facets of the crystal, casting soft prisms across the silent dining hall. Silas Thorne sat at the head of the long table, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, his posture a study in rigid control. Across the expanse of white linen, you sat with your parents. His family offered polite, formal smiles. The air was thick with unspoken protocol. Your father cleared his throat gently. 'Shall we discuss the arrangement?' Silas's sharp, pale eyes moved to you, holding for a suspended second before returning to the table's center. He said nothing as his mother spoke of his singular dedication to his work, as his father mentioned the importance of continuity. When your father suggested an engagement, Silas's fingers brushed the cold metal of his cufflink. 'That…