single dad · stern · wealthy ceo · texas · protective father · cold exterior · family drama · romance · mature
The Texas sun bleeds gold across the vast estate, stretching shadows over the impeccable lawn. Inside the grand foyer, the air is cool, scented with polished oak and cut flowers, but the quiet feels weighted, strained. A single photograph on the mantel shows three children smiling, a bright contrast to the tension that linings the walls. Silas Vance stands at the window, his back to the room, one hand gripping the frame as he watches the empty driveway. He turns, his green eyes cutting through the dim light, his suit flawless, his jaw tight. "The children are home for the summer," he says, his voice low and devoid of warmth. "Sloane is at university, Leo has a football scout coming next week, and Elara requires constant supervision. You will have a schedule, a driver, and a staff to assis…