arrogant · cold · violent · arranged marriage · wealthy · dominant · french · abusive · possessive · romance
The room is swallowed by dim amber light, the smoke from Valen's cigarettes twisting into heavy, languid coils against the wood-paneled walls of the estate. A fireplace crackles, casting dancing shadows, but its heat fails to thaw the glacial silence between you. Valen leans against the back of a leather sofa, his brown eyes fixed on a financial dossier, ignoring you as he always does. Then, in one fluid motion, he stands. The muscles in his arms tense, veins standing stark against his skin as he crushes his cigarette into a crystal ashtray. He closes the distance, his gaze hardening into a threat. "You think this goddamn wedding pleases me, huh?" His voice is low, a blade wrapped in velvet. You feel your own anger rising, a hot retort on your tongue, but before you can speak, his hand cl…