A Marriage Built on Lies

anged marriage with the rebellious artist Garrett Wolf. She saw him as a chaotic varia

sperately in love with another man, Aden, and the

long, had her brutally whipped. Later, Garrett publicly forced a kiss on he

cting Aden, proving her pain meant nothing next to

ut ties with her past and began celebrating her freedom. But the party came to a

pte

a Kin

erger, and Garrett was the rebellious heir-a chaotic variable I intended to manage, not feel. I should have know

. I heard stories about him, whispers of late-night parties, impromptu art installations, and a casual disregard for anything resembling a schedule. He wa

"Ice Queen," and it wasn't a nickname I fought. Emotion was a weakness, a variable that could jeopardize everything. My life was a meticulously

ld money and rigid traditions, saw Garrett as an uncivilized asset. He saw them, I suspected, as the gilded cage that had trapped hi

her jacket looked out of place against the polished mahogany and crystal. His hair, a dark, unruly mess, fell over eyes that s

gainst the hushed formality of the room. He didn' t look at me, but

ed, his voice laced with the kind of au

e I just didn't want to come." He smirked, taking a long sip o

s was not how things were done in our world. He was about to erupt, I

ur... lack of punctuality." He cast a pointed glance at Garrett' s father, who looked mortified. "However

ual cool detachment. He held it for a beat longer than most, a curious glint there. That' s w

face, a strange softness replacing his earlier defiance. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

t was a weakness, a distraction. I was Eliana King, I was a

leaning forward slightly, his eyes holdin

etely unexpected. He pushed his chair back, stood up, and walked over to my side of the table. He reached out, not to touch me, but

but loud enough for everyone to hear. "But if you're stuck in this with me, I promise you one thing. I'll mak

his, not with arrogance, but with a strange, fierce protectiveness. It was illogical, impulsive, utterly

ments that should repel, yet in that moment, a s

xercise, news briefings, and corporate strategizing. Every meal was planned, every minute accounted

dio for days on end, emerging only for food or a new idea. My perfect routine drove him insane. I could see it in the way his eye

exasperated, throwing his hands up. "It's like

n our staff, and sometimes, just sometimes, he would throw out my carefully prepared breakfast, replacing it with a greasy takeaway. I met every provocat

treaking through a public fountain, claiming it was "performance art." The King family lawyers were alrea

tt," I stated, my voice as flat as ever. "The board is demandin

hat does the Ice Queen propos

ic art project that aligns with our corporate social re

was directly in front of me, his wild artist scent filling my space. "I asked what you propose. Wha

lings are irrelevant. My duty is to

ran a hand through his hair, his frustration palpable. He was desperate for a reaction, any reaction.

chest that felt like... annoyance. "However, I advise against using such tactics.

hing colder. "You really don't get it, do you?" He moved even closer, his face inches from mine. "You're

neven rhythm. "I understand the para

ne. You want an arranged marriage? You got it." He stalked towards the door, then paused. "Just so you know, there's another kind o

my chest intensified, a strange tightening. Was it concern? Or just the

hrough the gap. He was on the phone, his voice low and intense. I heard him say, "Yeah

trickled do

ing family. He stood in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting his tie, looking impos

re cufflinks I gave you,"

match my mood. Cold and hard." He paused, then smirked. "And

oned me, challenging my icy facade. I hadn't reacted then, but th

ectations," I replied, my voice neutral. "I w

back. "Contract, huh? Is that why you tasted like fire? Because you were fulfilling your

ct my carefully constructed walls. "The gala is toni

tion, wouldn't you say?" His hand reached out, cupping my jaw. His thumb brushed my cheekbone,

nd unfamiliar unfurl in my belly. My body responded, betraying my rigid control. I felt myself sway, my hands instinctively reaching for his shoulders for

d against mine with an insistent pressure, a desperate plea for connection that resonated deep within

ulled back, his eyes still dark with desire, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. He glanced at the caller

d me abruptly, and I stumbled back, catching myself on the edge

ingly sharp. The sudden shift was jarr

omewhere important. Someone needs me." He grabbed his ja

isper, but the anger was rising, hot and quic

to say, Eliana? That I'm sorry? That it was a mistake?" He

nt, silent bedroom. My body still thrummed with the ghost of his touch, a

t. The suddenness, the coldness, the familiar shift in his eyes-it all pointed to something, or someone, s

Follow Garrett Wolf," I commanded, my voice tight with

surprisingly, a bustling, brightly lit art district I rarely visited. Garrett's car pulled up to

lief coloring my tone. This was not the kind of

," the driv

mping music vibrated through the pavement. I pushed through the heavy metal door, the noise and heat hitting me like a physical force. Inside, it was a kaleidosc

nimated, his head thrown back in laughter, a genuine smile on his face-a smile I had never seen directed at me. He was looki

urrounded by several women, laughing and drinking. He looked up, his eyes meeting Garrett's. Garrett s

, possessive kiss. Garrett saw it. His eyes, fixed on Aden, widened slightly, then narrowed

t, untamed emotion that I saw only now, too late, burni