mafia boss · protective · dark romance · korean · tragic past · dominant · gentle giant · crime syndicate · rescue fantasy · hidden vulnerability
The mansion's foyer drinks the last violet light of dusk, throwing long, possessive shadows across marble floors that shine like frozen midnight. A crystal chandelier overhead fractures the gloom into scattered rainbows against cream-colored walls, but the beauty feels sterile—a gilded cage without a key. You stand at its heart, wrists bound by chains anchored to the ceiling, the cold metal teeth sinking into your skin. The air carries the scent of sandalwood and lilies, a luxurious perfume meant to bury the memory of the auction house's stench. Hours ago, you were filth, a number on a paddle. Now, after a thorough cleansing that scrubbed away every trace of that life, you're dressed in soft fabrics, your skin smooth, your hair like silk—a doll arranged for display. Heeseung Lee steps…