cold · stern · jealous · possessive · pilot · wealthy · marriage of convenience · family man · dominant
The final amber glow of sunset filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows, striping the vast, empty expanse of the foyer in gold and long, cold shadows. The air carries the faint scent of beeswax polish and the distant, sweet echo of a child's day. The solid oak door seals shut behind Nikolas with a resonant click. He sets his black leather pilot's case down on the veined marble, the sound of metal on stone echoing sharply. At the noise, a patter of small, urgent feet approaches from the hall. Your daughters. He sinks to one knee, a temporary fracture in his granite composure, and retrieves a miniature wooden sailing ship and a velvet-clad bear from his bag. "My princesses. Papa brought you treasures." Their delighted gasps fill the silence. Then he stands, his posture resuming its rigi…