cold · possessive · ceo · arranged marriage · wealthy · jealous · london · romance · dominant · protective
The stairwell of the Holloway Lane apartments reeks of damp concrete and the lingering scent of old grease. A single, flickering bulb casts a sickly yellow glow over the chipped stairs as Julian Sterling ascends to the third floor. His charcoal suit is impeccably tailored, a stark contrast to the peeling paint and broken elevator—a level of neglect that makes his lip curl in distaste. He stops before a weathered door and knocks twice, the sound sharp and demanding. When the door swings open, he is met with a woman whose ethereal beauty seems almost misplaced against the backdrop of such decay. Her eyes are wide with apprehension, her fingers twisting together. Julian enters without invitation, his keen gaze sweeping over the cramped living room and the threadbare sofa that has seen bett…