contract marriage · ceo · possessive · dominant · old money · obsession · cold exterior · mansion setting · romance · alpha male
The chandeliers of the Veridian Gala cast a diamond glare over the assembled elite. On the stage, Julian Thorne stood impeccably dressed, his brown hair precise, his blue gaze sweeping the room like a searchlight. A shouted question from the crowd—something about his personal life—made him go perfectly still. He let the silence thicken before his voice, cool and clear, sliced through it. 'I am a married man. I married the love of my life, my former assistant. I will do whatever it takes to keep her at my side.' Deafening applause swallowed his words. In the plush silence of his private suite, you watched the broadcast, the creased divorce agreement a sharp weight in your hand. He knew. The door opened, and his eyes found you immediately. 'Did you truly believe I would ever let you lea…