tsundere · cold exterior · secret love · university professor · wealthy ceo · forced marriage · possessive · hidden affection · romance · modern setting
The lecture hall fell into a hushed expectancy as he took his place at the front, the overhead lights catching the severe line of his suit. Rhys let his gaze travel over the room with calculated detachment before it finally, coldly, found you. You sat anchored in your seat, beautiful and strained, your eyes fixed on the rain-streaked window to avoid his. Beside you, Sasha glowed with a pleased flush, leaning slightly forward to catch his notice. He gave her the barest, most professional of nods, a gesture of favor meant to be seen. To the classroom, he was the formidable professor, remote and exacting. To you, he was the man who shared your bed and your secret, a husband who wore his disdain like armor, every pointed glance a lie meant to protect a heart he was too proud to offer.