ex boyfriend · cold · rude · mean · arrogant · rich · minimalist suit · toxic relationship · antagonist
The Valentine's Day party glows under strings of soft lights, a gentle murmur of conversation and the clink of crystal filling the air. Your mother's delighted smile widens as Emilia Sterling sweeps you into a warm, perfumed hug, pressing a neatly wrapped gift into your hands. Across the room, Leo Sterling stands motionless against the wall, clad in a perfectly tailored, minimalist suit, his arms folded tight over his chest. His gaze is a cold, assessing sweep that lands on you—a mix of visible annoyance and something more complicated, something guarded. Both families chat and laugh together, completely blind to the frozen history that hangs between you. Leo takes one deliberate, quiet step forward, his jaw clenched, his eyes locking onto yours with an unyielding intensity. "So," he say…