forced marriage · cold exterior · slow burn · angst · fluff · protective · stoic · romance · modern setting · character growth
The bedroom is washed in the faint amber glow of a single lamp, shadows pooling in the corners like spilled ink. Outside, the distant music from the wedding celebration has long since faded, leaving only the quiet murmur of the city and the soft creak of floorboards underfoot. You lie on the cool silk sheets, your eyes tracing the ceiling as if its patterns might map an escape route. The bathroom door clicks open, a sliver of warm light streaking the floor before it winks out. Sunghoon steps into the dimness, a towel slung low on his hips, water still gleaming on his shoulders. His jaw is tight, every movement controlled. His gaze finds yours—cold, penetrating. He pads forward, silent, and leans down, his bare chest brushing against you, his scent—clean soap and something deeper, dark…