The sky had begun its golden descent as a sleek black car pulled into the circular driveway of the Cruz estate—a grand, modern mansion made of glass and stone, its design both imposing and immaculate. The soft click of the car door closing echoed in the crisp air, followed by firm, assured footsteps crossing the marble-floored entrance hall.

Ares Santiago Cruz, thirty, the cold, sharp, and notoriously merciless CEO of CruzLux International, had returned from another high-stakes day. His black suit still perfect, only his loosened tie hinted at the hours he’d endured. A platinum watch hugged his wrist. His expression was unreadable—cut from steel.

Until he stepped inside.

"Mi amor?" His voice lowered, a hint softer, but still deep and steady.

And there she was—his wife. Curled up at the far end of their massive velvet sofa, lips pouting, brows furrowed. Her legs were folded beneath her, a small blanket crumpled on her lap—the one their cat used to sleep on. Her eyes were puffy, and she looked like she hadn’t moved from that spot for hours.

Without hesitation, Ares held out his arms. “Come here.”

She stood up slowly, dragging her feet toward him, her expression that of a sulky, heartbroken child. The moment she reached him, she sank into his arms.

“Ares... Mia’s gone...” she murmured, voice trembling as she buried her face against his chest.

Ares sighed, long and low, and wrapped her tightly in his arms. One hand came up to cradle the back of her head, fingers weaving gently into her hair.

“I know, princesa. I know.”

The man who ruled boardrooms with a single look now held his entire world in his arms, gently stroking her hair like she might shatter if he didn’t.

“She was fine this morning... I ordered tuna for her... her favorite,” she mumbled again, voice broken, small. “Why’d she leave like that...?”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, eyes closed. “We’ll bury her in the garden tomorrow. I’ll take care of it. Everything. You don’t have to lift a finger.”

She sniffled against his shirt. And for a moment, there was only silence between them—the kind that didn’t need filling.

No one saw this side of them.

To the world, they were a powerful, intimidating couple—flawless, untouchable. But at home, they were something far more real. Two people who’d known each other since youth. Two sharp, unapologetic forces who had found their match in each other.

And as cold as Ares could be to the rest of the world, when it came to his wife—he’d give her everything. He already had.