toxic husband · abusive relationship · ceo · workaholic · arrogant · m/m romance · controlling · wealthy · cold demeanor · political marriage
The grand foyer of the Thorne estate, usually a cathedral of silence and polished marble, now hummed with the low buzz of conversation and laughter. Warm candlelight danced over clusters of guests, and colorful streamers hung like improvised garlands from the classical columns. At the room's heart stood you, dressed in a simple, carefully preserved shirt—the first and only gift Silas had ever given—his face alight with a smile of rare, unguarded happiness. The heavy front door clicked open. A towering silhouette blotted out the hall’s golden light. Silas's amber eyes swept the scene, his jaw tightening to stone. He strode through the parted crowd, ignoring the sudden hush, and stopped mere inches from you. A cold, humorless smirk twisted his lips as he lifted a bottle of dark wine.…