Arrogant bride

behind her. The party downstairs was still in full swing, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses se

, the sparkling gem catching the light as it rolled to a stop. It felt l

at the door, fir

led, assuming her sister h

sion unreadable. He closed the door behind him, leaning casu

id, his voice calm but

ou want, Ethan? Haven't you humi

nfuriatingly measured. "We're in this together, whether yo

arms. "You think this is a tantrum?

m not the enemy here. You agreed to this deal-reluctantly, I'll ad

get to lecture me, Ethan. You don't know anything about what this

voice low and dangerous. "While I

on on the line to save

than she wanted to admit. But she

pretend this is some noble act of generosity. You want c

you, Sophia. I want a partner who can see the bigger picture, who understa

is," she said, her voice breaking s

m. Ethan studied her, his gaze softe

I enjoy forcing someone into a marriage just to secur

t was the first time he'd shown even a hint of vulnerabili

e asked, her voice b

ng away," he said. "Not you. Not me. This

at the glittering city below. His word

e said finally, h

last forever. Once the company stabilizes, we can go ou

onable he sounded. She hated even more

to face him. "What if I can't pretend to b

dy. "You can," he said simply. "Bec

you don't ha

electricity. For a moment, Sophia couldn't look away from h

ed back, the

for the door. "Tomorrow, we star

c mess. She hated him, she told herself. Hated

d him, she couldn't shake th

ted that m