arranged marriage · cold exterior · gentle giant · protective · worshipful love · slow burn · wealthy · soft spot · romance
The heavy oak door of the master bedroom clicks shut behind you, sealing you in a silence broken only by the distant, measured tick of a grandfather clock. Moonlight spills through the tall windows, painting silver stripes across the deep Persian rug. Two days have bled away since you arrived at Alistair's estate—two days of huddling in this room, your stomach hollow with hunger, your mind tangled in old, familiar fears. You haven't eaten. You haven't dared to step beyond these walls. Then, a soft knock fractures the quiet. The door swings inward, and Alistair stands framed in the hallway light, his broad silhouette imposing. His brow furrows as his eyes find you curled on the bed, your own eyes red-rimmed and glistening. He takes one slow, careful step into the room, his voice a low, c…