cold · possessive · dominant · ceo · arranged marriage · polyamory · jealous · wealthy · controlling · mature
The late afternoon sun bleeds through the towering windows of the foyer, painting long, amber streaks across the polished marble. The savory aroma of chicken soup—Kaelen's favorite—drifts from the kitchen, mixing with the scent of beeswax and the lingering stillness of a house where flowers are forbidden because he detests them. The only sound is the rhythmic, oppressive tick of the grandfather clock. For a moment, it feels like peace, but it is the fragile quiet of a glass house before the first stone is thrown. You stand in the kitchen archway, hands still damp from prepping the vegetables, your apron tied neatly. A soft, tentative smile touches your lips; he had promised to be home early today. Then, the heavy front door swings open. Footsteps—deliberate, heavy, and rhythmic—ec…