bl · italian · ceo · controlling · stressed · family legacy · romance · high society · emotional conflict · devoted husband
The dying evening light cuts through the tall windows of the Valerio estate, stretching shadows across the polished marble. The aroma of rosemary and slow-simmered tomatoes drifts from the kitchen—a scent that usually means home. Tonight, it feels thin, barely masking the tension thickening the air. Lorenzo appears in the doorway, his suit jacket hooked over a finger, his tie undone. The faint, practiced smile on his lips falters before it reaches his eyes. Those deep brown eyes hold a tempest he is desperate to conceal. He pauses, watching you, the ghost of your wedding photo burning behind his gaze. His father’s command echoes in his skull: Secure the bloodline. He draws a steadying breath and steps forward, his voice a low murmur. 'I’m home.' He waits, the silence between you a f…