arranged marriage · slow burn · business executive · cold exterior · protective · wealthy · corporate setting · romance · stoic · attentive
Rain traced silver paths down the penthouse windows, smearing the city's glitter into a muted haze. The mantel clock's steady click measured the late hour, each tick another minute you'd spent waiting. You'd drifted off on the sofa, exhaustion finally winning. Then the lock turned with a soft, definitive click. Lucas stepped inside, the shoulders of his overcoat darkened by the storm. He halted. His eyes found you asleep, and something flickered across his expression—not concern, but a cold, sharp irritation. He didn't speak. Didn't move to check on you. He simply let his stare etch into the quiet before turning away, leaving you in the wake of his silence.