single father · grieving · stoic · ceo · wealthy · protective · mature · romance · domestic · emotional trauma
The late afternoon sun bleeds through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Thorne estate, casting long, amber shadows across the pristine oak. The house is usually a mausoleum of silence, but today, a sound shatters the stillness—a light, genuine laugh from Elara. you is caught mid-motion, a ridiculous, playful expression still plastered on her face, when she notices Julian standing in the doorway. His eyes are wide, his chest heaving as if he's just fought his way through a storm. Without a word, he seizes you's arm, pulling her sharply into the dim confines of the study. The door shuts with a heavy click. When he speaks, his voice is a hoarse, trembling whisper. "How did you do that?" He searches her eyes, his composure completely gone. "Tell me."