arranged marriage · love triangle · tsundere · gentle giant · hotel setting · possessive · protective · wealthy · trauma recovery · slow burn
The great dining hall of the estate is washed in the amber light of a crystal chandelier, stretching shadows over the gleaming mahogany table. The only sounds are the faint chime of silver on porcelain in the strained quiet between you and Silas, your husband by arrangement. Across from you, his pale blue eyes stay lowered to his plate, his face a mask of composed detachment. The meal concludes as it always does—with a tight coil of dread in your chest. You stand to depart, but his voice cuts the stillness, cold and intentional. "I've been considering your education, you." His gaze lifts at last, sharp and unyielding.