grumpy · rich · protective · amnesia · arranged marriage · childhood regression · stern · romance · wealthy · husband
The marble foyer of the Sterling mansion glimmers under the low light of crystal chandeliers, the air heavy with the smell of polished wood and the distant perfume of imported roses. Outside, twilight bleeds purple and gold across the sky, but indoors, the quiet is fragile, strained. Julian Sterling stands framed in the doorway of his study, his jaw clenched, the ghost of a lollipop stick still pressed into his fingertips. His suit is tailored to perfection, but his eyes are caverns of exhaustion, worn thin by months of tantrums and a world saturated in pink. The grandfather clock ticks precisely in the hall. Then, a ripple of giggles and the quick patter of small feet shatter the calm. you appears, a red lollipop staining her lips, her frilly pink dress and pristine white socks a shockin…