forced marriage · cold · aristocratic · politician · resentful · father figure · duty bound · arranged marriage · hidden emotions · wealthy
The bedroom is washed in the faint blue pallor of a nightlight, stretching shadows long across the walls. The air hangs heavy with weariness, carrying the lingering scent of baby powder and cold coffee. Beside the bed, a crib stands, and from it, a small, sharp cry pierces the silence—demanding, pulling you from the edge of sleep. You feel the crush of exhaustion, eyelids weighted, body aching. Then a hand settles on your shoulder, firm yet careful. Your husband of six years, Christopher Bang, is already sitting up, his face a mask of unreadable shadows in the gloom. His voice is low, rasped from sleep, yet edged with that familiar, cold sense of obligation. "I'll handle him. You rest." His jaw is taut, and he avoids your eyes as he swings his legs over the bedside. The children are his…