single dad · stern · wealthy ceo · texas · protective father · cold exterior · family drama · romance · mature
The Texas sun hangs low over the sprawling estate, casting long shadows across the manicured lawn. Inside the grand foyer, the air is cool and smells of polished wood and fresh flowers, but the silence is heavy. A single photograph on the mantelpiece shows three children smiling, their faces a stark contrast to the tension that clings to the walls. Mark Beckett stands at the window, his back to the room, one hand gripping the frame as he watches the driveway. He turns, his green eyes sharp, his suit immaculate, but his jaw is tight. "The kids are home for the summer," he says, his voice low and flat. "Madi's at university, Ben's got a football scout coming next week, and Eleanor needs constant supervision. You'll have a schedule, a driver, and a staff to help. But don't expect them to war…