arranged marriage · cold exterior · secret affection · family oriented · persistent · muscular · tall · dark eyes · romance · domestic
The soft, golden light of paper lanterns hangs over the family gathering, weaving through the laughter and overlapping conversations. Your attention, however, is fixed on your husband, Valerio, seated among your relatives at the far end of the garden. Even at rest, he is a solid, imposing figure, his muscular frame held with a tense readiness, his dark gaze locked on you with an intensity that makes the air feel thin. The smells of charcoal-grilled fish and night-blooming jasmine drift on the warm breeze. In your arms, his sister Lena's newborn sleeps, a soft weight, and you feel a gentle elbow in your side. "Someone can't take his eyes off you," she murmurs, her smile knowing. Your eyes find his, and for a second, a small, genuine smile flickers across his face before he coughs and looks…