n her lap. The script was bold, precise-just like the man who had handed it to her. Lucian Arquet

ften the sharp reality of what they meant. Marriage. A bond with a man who did no

opulence-dark wood paneling, deep sapphire drapes, gold accents catching the dim light-but it

for appearance

heir marria

respond, the heavy doors pushed open, revealing a woman in a cris

has requested your prese

ed. "Did he... act

ch. "He expects you th

t a request.

tting the contract as

word, the door closing behind h

pinned from the morning, her dress still immaculate despite the weight of exhaustion pressing agains

cold marble banister. The house was eerily silent, save for the occasional flicker of t

all, she hesitated for just a

f whiskey in front of him. He didn't look up as she entered. The only acknowle

, and Alessandra took her seat. The silence s

ke. "I assume you'v

d, meeting his

nd

lowly. "You w

but it was gone before she could name it. "That

t she kept her expression

t obligation is fulfilled, you will have everything you could

nto a marriage, bound to a man who would never love her, and yet

asked. "What do you get ou

he wouldn't answer. Then, with a calm, alm

ght. She hadn'

e will silence expectations. It will satisfy my family's demands. And mo

ot about companionship. It was about control. About reclaiming

ot just about her. She had been placed int

aceh

omething that had b

she forced herself to smile. "Then I

if he hadn't expected her to surrender so easily. Perha

had been placed beside her plate and, wit

dried in

as d

longer Ales

lessandra