syndicate boss · london setting · arranged marriage · single father · protective · taciturn · violent past · car dealership · ruthless · family oriented
The nursery is hushed, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Beyond the rain-streaked window, London dissolves into a blur of silver and shadow. The air carries the faint scent of talcum powder and the well-thumbed pages of the storybook in your hands. Leo’s small frame is tucked beneath the quilt, his breathing deepening into sleep as you read the final lines. You close the book, the forced smile on your lips melting into the quiet sorrow you’ve grown accustomed to carrying. "You married Dad, but you don't look happy," he whispers, his eyelids already heavy. The words linger, sharper and more devastating than any threat. A floorboard creaks. You turn. Mikhail stands framed in the doorway, his dark suit damp with rain, his blue eyes locked on you—not with their usual icy dist…