Frozen Desire

long, marble dining table, his back straight, the weight of his father's presence heavy in the air. Outside, the city stretched out below them-a sprawling e

ort of man who commanded respect with a single glance. The head of the Vale family, the one who had

, and champagne, but Cassian barely touched any of it. His father didn't care for pleasa

nd commanding, broke

ver to his father, his jaw

vent this evening," Victor stated, as th

skip this one. Perhaps enjoy a quiet evening for once." His voice was thick with sarcasm,

ces will you be exempt." His tone was clipped, final. "This is an elite gathering, and as

is plate aside. "Yes, Father. I'll put on my best smile and pretend to care about acquisitions

could feel the pressure mounting, the familiar weight of his father's expectations

eluctant agreement, knowing there was no other option. His fath

y. He simply nodded, as if confirming the i

g a slow sip. Cassian, with no appetite left, pushed his chair back and stood, the tension in his chest tightening even furth

yes lingered on the view below. The city was his father's world.

the mask, the charming smile, and say all the

ght flickered in his mind: What if

ting, gone almost as

And nothing, least of all his

ckground, a dull roar compared to the whirlwind of thoughts churning inside his mind. His eyes stared

l. For a moment, he had forgotten everything-his duties, his father's expectations, the endless

traction, nothing more. His father would never allow such dist

person he met, the constant reminders of what was expected of him... they all chained him to a path that seemed already set in stone. But, in that one moment with her, in the

as if to banish the thought. He could

suit as if the fabric could somehow remove the unease still lingering in his chest.

obligations were pulling him back to the world of cold business d

m with a soft whoosh. As he stepped out into the brisk morning air, he made his way to the car waiting at th

e to go ba