a

to the mansion of the Marcher family. I am here for one purpose: to get the de

n I am supposed to marry. I'm not a fan of arranged marriages, but I

doesn't bother me too much. I'm focused on one thing: the promise my

living room and I can't

, with ceilings that stretch high above, adorned with an elaborate crystal chandelier that casts a warm, golden light across the space. Rich, well

lding an array of silver-framed family photos. Above it hangs an oil portrait of a stern-looking man-presu

sofa positioned around a marble coffee table. The table itself holds a crystal decanter filled with amber liq

d and leather, lending the room a weighty atmosphere t

ght in its beauty. It drifts back to

dazzling silver eyes. She was one of a kind. Maybe it's because I met her in the most unexpected way. Bu

again. Especially not in the hou

oom, and the memory is almost impossible to forget. Especially since it was barely twenty-four hou

o see her. Maybe they have an issue. She didn't tell me why she was in Japan,

it happen. I need to find a way to stop this before it escalates. All I have

a fake smi

"It's nice to s

happening in front of her. I can tell from the way she stares at m

panion to hang out with, treating it like a makeshift bachelor party

ach other?" Mr.

at me, one eyebrow raised. I nod

" I reply. "She made me feel more at home, whic

ooks lost. She blinks twice before smoothing the confusion from h

says gently. "I never thought we'd

b I've had in years. She's talented-talented in ways her father and sister will never know. I laugh

haking her hand firml

us wants to release first, both lost in memories of what happened just hours ago. It's hard to

, fate loves playing

u doing here

y her sister? It would devastate her, and it would only make the tension worse. I need a d

and soon, sis," Chloe say

et it. She's smiling brightly, as though this is everything she's ever wante

surprise. This is the

e talking about?" she

enthusias

know each other," she says. "This mig

e. At twenty-three, she's still immature and inexperienced. It feels wro

ything is collapsing around her, and she doesn't know how to react. The man she slept with ho

hroom," she finally sa

I've wronged her, but how could I have known she was related to the woma

e observer. He sips his scotch while I glance down at the glass in my own

g, Mr. Marcher?" I ask,

. "I trust your father told you w

father. David Marcher is a shrewd man. My father warned me

I reply. "But I'm sure i

er. The tension between them when she walked in was palpable. There's clearly a str

Marcher says. "I thought y

r marrying Chloe? Not a chance. This is m

t for anything, si

oe has left the room, and I doubt M

it's time for me to leave. I ne

r. Marcher, but I'll

nod

living next door

uckl

sidering your mansion tak

hs hear

ke yo

ntly. I lik