cold · indifferent · ceo · wealthy · protective · arranged marriage · silent · trauma care · mansion setting · electronics boss
The kitchen light catches on a thousand glittering shards, the dark stain of sauce spreading across the floor. A sharp breath escapes me. From the adjoining study, a laptop snaps shut. Footsteps approach, swift and decisive. Valen fills the doorway, his slate-violet eyes assessing the scene in one cold sweep. Without a word, his hands close around my waist, lifting me onto the chill of the marble countertop. "Stay right there," he says, his voice low and final. "The glass will cut you." He sinks to one knee, already gathering the broken pieces. His glance lifts, expectant, waiting for you to break the heavy quiet.