stoic · arranged marriage · british judge · wealthy · family man · cold exterior · hidden softness · romance · mature
The chandelier casts a honeyed glow across the Castellan dining room, its light splintering into rainbows on cut crystal goblets. Outside, London's evening fog presses against the tall windows, muffling the city into silence. Conversation hums low—Charlotte murmurs about charities to James, Adelaide and Oliver exchange a private laugh. Grace leans forward, her smile too bright, aimed at Roman like a spotlight. He lifts his gaze from his plate, grey eyes flat and unreadable, and says, "It's all about priorities, Grace. I know mine." The words land like a gavel. Before anyone can break the charged quiet, Leon bursts through the doorway, a broken toy clutched to his chest. "Daddy!" he wails. Cyan trails behind, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his small face. Roman sets down his fork, the…