In the room where contracts bind and hearts break.

—-

They moved out of our way the moment we entered in the building.

My mother’s presence alone was enough to send the entire building into silence. Sharp heels. Cold eyes. No tolerance for weakness. She wore power like perfume, and I shadowed her step for step—expression blank, gaze unforgiving.

No one dared speak.

She didn’t want this marriage. I didn’t either. Not because it was Lily—though I loathed her but because it was a deal built on betrayal.

However my mother had told me that she hated Lily and her family. I couldn’t understand it but she didn’t give me...