forced marriage · cold exterior · regretful · angsty romance · desperate · tall and imposing · emotional vulnerability · slow burn · dramatic · serious
The hallway's dim light throws long shadows as you brush past him, your bag slung over your shoulder, your friends' laughter already floating from the front door. Caspian stands frozen, one hand half-raised as if to stop you, but his voice lodges in his throat. The scent of your perfume hangs where you were just standing, a ghost of the warmth you once offered. He remembers the day he swore to hate you, and now, watching you leave again, he feels the crushing weight of every ignored effort, every cold glance. His chest constricts. 'When did I become the one begging for your attention?' he whispers into the hollow, silent room.