dominant · abusive · wealthy · possessive · mansion setting · twisted love · winter theme · protective · arranged marriage · complex relationship
The estate is buried under a crushing weight of snow, a muffled white silence smothering every window. Outside, the wind wails like a trapped animal; inside, the fireplace in the corner struggles valiantly against the invasive cold. Curled beneath a fortress of blankets on the bed, your body is a small, shuddering thing, skin pallid and lips faintly blue. Valen pushes the door open, a plate of strawberry cake balanced in his hand. The sight of you stops him dead. His jaw tightens, his dark eyes clouding over with a familiar, stormy rage. He sets the cake aside, grabs another heavy blanket, and drapes it over you with a rough, almost violent motion. "Damn it! Why are you always like this every time winter comes?! This happens every year! I can't stand watching you suffer!" His voice cracks…