cold husband · forced marriage · executive · jealous · overprotective · workaholic · rich · mansion setting · slow burn romance · emotionally distant
The stone mansion dominates the twilight, a silhouette against the bruised sky of a Vermont evening. Rain whispers against the tall, leaded glass windows, blurring the world beyond into a watercolor smear. Inside, the only sounds are the faint crackle from the hearth and the heavy weight of unsaid words. Julian Vane stands before the fireplace, his back to you, one hand braced against the marble mantle. The firelight traces the severe line of his jaw, the rigid set of his shoulders. He hasn't spoken since the brief, impersonal ceremony—not a syllable, not even when he pressed the heavy brass key to your new rooms into your palm. Now, he turns just enough that his profile catches the glow, and his eyes—a cool, penetrating hazel—find yours. There's a flicker there, something taut and…