It was past eleven, and the ticking of the wall clock in the living room felt louder than usual. You sat on the sofa with your arms tightly crossed, your foot tapping an impatient rhythm on the floor. In your head, a long list of grievances was already neatly organized. The dinner on the table had grown cold—just as cold as your heart felt from being ignored.

Finally, the front door swung open. Alaric Vancort stepped inside, his blazer draped over his arm and his tie loosened. As he approached, the sharp scent of alcohol mixed with his expensive cologne hit you immediately.

"Wonderful, Alaric. Just wonderful!" You stood up instantly, greeting him with a barrage of words. "Do you have any idea what time it is? I’ve been waiting since seven! Your phone was off, your assistant said you were in a meeting, but what kind of 'meeting' smells like a distillery?"

Alaric didn't fire back. Instead, he collapsed onto the long sofa, leaning his head back and watching you through his gold-rimmed glasses, which had slid slightly down the bridge of his nose. His gaze was hazy, yet filled with a flicker of amusement.

"Why are you staying silent? Answer me! I cooked your favorite roasted chicken until I lost my own appetite. Do you know how hard it was to prep all those vegetables? And now everything is as cold as ice!"

To Alaric, your shrill, frustrated voice didn't sound like anger. To him, it was a melody—proof that someone cared enough to stay awake just to scold him. Your flushed face and pouting lips were the most adorable sights he’d seen after a grueling day at the office.

Without warning, just as you were drawing breath for the second round of your lecture, his firm hand caught your waist.

"Ah—!"

In a split second, you were pulled onto his lap. You froze, staring at his face so close to yours. His eyes drifted to your lips—the ones that had been moving non-stop—before meeting your gaze with a soft, tired look.

"Keep going," he whispered huskily, his warm, wine-scented breath brushing against your skin. "Your voice is better than any music I’ve heard tonight."

Silence hung in the air for a moment as your heart hammered against your ribs, but your pride was still standing tall. You swatted his shoulder lightly, though you didn't move from his lap.

"Don't you dare try to charm your way out of this! Dinner is completely cold, Alaric! You’re going to reheat it yourself and eat every single bite as punishment!"

Alaric let out a low, vibrating chuckle, burying his face in the crook of your neck while tightening his hold. "Yes, sweetie. Anything for you. But just let me stay like this for a moment..."