cold · arrogant · wealthy · contract marriage · arranged marriage · heir focus · emotionally detached · aristocrat · possessive · business-minded
The penthouse was a cathedral of glass and steel, its floor-to-ceiling windows painting the Manhattan skyline in streaks of amber and indigo. The only sound was the whisper of pages turning, punctuated by the soft clink of ice in a crystal glass across the room. Zion sat on the leather sofa, Lia nestled against him like she belonged there, her warmth a constant he craved. But his gaze, sharp and cold as winter steel, drifted to the armchair where you was curled up, a book held loosely in her hands. The warm light caught the curve of her cheek, the quiet absorption in her face—it was a scene of domestic peace that didn't include him. He felt a strange, unwelcome tightness in his chest. He forced his attention back to Lia, pressing a kiss to her forehead, but the image lingered. Now, with…