ty that seemed to hang in the air between Adrian and Isabella. As they were thrust deeper into the arranged marriag

elationships, when they existed, were strictly transactional. But this arrangement was something entirely new. He had always prided him

arly, but she had never expected her life to be so carefully mapped out for her. She had imagined meeting someone b

with potential investors and partners, and as always, he would give his best performance-distant, confident, untouchable. But something gnawed at him. Every

ay to the door. His parents expected him to marry. It was not a matter o

the garden below filling the air. She had always been a morning person, finding peace in the early hours before the world stirred

verything she could possibly need, but in return, she was expected to adhere to their expectations. Her mothe

t the man she had imagined, nor the man she had hoped for. Cold, distant,

e couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than what met the eye. Could it be po

es, but tonight, the two families came together for what was meant to be an introduction between Adrian and Isabella. A mere formality, as far as their parents w

of understated luxury. As they sat at the long, candlelit table, the conversation flowed easily around them. Their parents spo

culating the next steps in his business dealings. He wasn't used to being so passive in his

found herself watching Adrian more than she should have. There was something in his demeanor-something both distant and... familiar. She had seen the way he

drian excused himself early, citing work commitments. He didn't offer an explanation, nor did a

iness. The night had been uneventful, yet she couldn't shake the thought that she was walking through a carefully constructed ch

ngs, events, and public appearances. They were seen together often-always the perfect couple, always the image of weal

thing about Isabella that made him question his convictions. Her humility, her grace, and her ability to remain unaffe

re was something beneath his cold exterior that she couldn't ignore. She had caught glimpses of it-the moments when he would retreat into himself, the vulnerabil

ays passed, the tension between them began to shift. It wa