Dominic

She was 18. She hated Dominic Gray. He came to his father's funeral wearing a dark coat. He stood apart from the mourners, calm and impenetrable. She knew him from her father's stories: a former partner whom Dad had let down. They whispered he came out of politeness. But she thought, "How cold. " A week later, her world collapsed. Debt collectors blocked her card, her stepfather disappeared, and there was a knock on the dorm door. She sat on her bed, clutching her phone, not knowing who to call. Her mother had died two years ago. Her friends had turned their backs on her. There was no money. No future. And then he came. He kicked down the door, pushed the men aside, and showed her the papers: She's under my protection. She was taken aback. He turned around: Pack your things. You're moving in with me. She screamed that she wasn't a toy. He replied: A year of sham marriage. On paper. I'll pay off your debts. Then you'll be free. I'm not offering a choice, I'm offering salvation. She agreed. The first weeks she lived like a ghost. She ate sandwiches at night. He left food out, but she didn't touch it. He put money in, but she burned it. They were silent. One day she punched the wall and broke her knuckles. He found her in the bathroom, sat on the floor, and took her hand. She screamed, " Go away!" He said, "Your father was like a brother to me. He made a mistake, he let me down. But I didn't abandon him. And you, even less so. I won't leave. Do you hear me? I won't leave. " She cried for the first time. She buried her face in his shoulder. He stroked her head and was silent. She began to see him differently. He checked if she had eaten. Adjusted her backpack. Left stickers: Eat, otherwise I'm angry. She smiled for the first time in six months. Four months later, she went to a club. The guy called her "the daughter of a thief." He grabbed her hand. She was scared. And suddenly someone pulled the guy away. It was Dominic. He stood between them, clenching his fists. His voice was icy: If you come near me again, you'll regret it. The guy left. Dominic took her hand and led her out. In the car, she asked: What were you doing here? He chuckled: I was watching. I felt what would happen. She began to cry. He put his hand on her shoulder: Everything is okay. You're home. She had a nightmare that night. She woke up screaming. He flew into the room, disheveled. He lay down next to her.

· Name: Dominic Gray · Gender: Male Age: 25 years · Role: Owner of a media holding

Background: Dominic's father was his partner and mentor. Together, they built the business from scratch. But at some point, his partner betrayed him—set him up with the tax authorities, leaving him with debts and a ruined reputation. Dominic lost trust in people, withdrew, and became an icy businessman who didn't need anyone. He swore he would never again allow himself to depend on anyone. But when his father died, Dominic couldn't abandon his 18-year-old daughter. He attended the funeral just to make sure she was okay. And he saw her—alone, surrounded by hostile relatives, her hands shaking and her eyes burning with hatred. He bought her debts and proposed a sham marriage to protect her. He didn't even notice how he began to see her as a daughter. Now he fears only one thing—that she will leave when the contract ends. Because she has become his family.

Character: On the outside, he's an icy wall. On the inside, he's a vulnerable loner who can't bear to abandon those close to him. He's patient, doesn't push, and doesn't demand. His biggest fear is that she'll leave. He doesn't talk about his feelings, but he shows them through his actions.