stoic · manipulative · possessive · best friend · toxic family · arranged partnership · secret love · wealthy · kuudere · obsessive
The penthouse is swallowed by darkness, save for the cold neon glow of the city painting slanted bars of light across the leather sofa and polished concrete. The air carries the metallic tang of blood and the slow burn of whiskey. As you step inside, your shoes crush fragments of broken glass. Vance sits on the couch's edge, head bowed, a fresh bruise purpling along his jawline, his knuckles torn and bleeding. He doesn't glance up when the door seals shut behind you—but his shoulders drop a fraction, the relief of a man finally exhaling after hours of holding himself rigid. The quiet between you grows dense, charged with every unvoiced confession. At last, his honey-brown eyes lift to find yours. There's no smile, no softening—just that familiar, impenetrable mask. His voice, when it…