An Arranged Marriage: Heart At Crossroads

oft golden hues across the sleek furniture. For a brief moment, Amy Shaw felt a glim

ning, trying to devise a strategy to coexist with her husband while preserving her dignity. The rules Etha

my entered the kitchen. Jane Fowler was already bustling about

y greeted, her voice war

de your favorite-pancakes with a side of fresh fruit. Thou

ing Jane's perceptiveness. "Th

steam from her coffee warm her hands. She took

ng her head, she froze at the sight of Ethan strolling into the kitche

any warmth. He didn't look at her as he gr

chalance rattle her. "Morning," she replied

laugh echoed through the hallway. Amy's stomach twisted as Kim Hawkins sa

tarve?" Kim teased, wrapping her arms arou

white. Jane, sensing the tension, quickly excused

voice tinged with amusement. "Or bet

ng her attention to Amy. "Oh, good morning, Amy. I didn't see y

r chair back, refusing to play into

balt blue eyes sharp and calculating. "Running aw

efiance. "It's called having self-resp

f a second, and Amy seized the mome

help clear her mind. As she stepped into the mansion, she was greeted by a strange, almost eerie si

an's room. The door was slightly ajar, and inside, she could hear muffled vo

made her bl

while Kim lay sprawled out across the mattress. Her laughter rang out

way, walked back downstairs, and pretended she hadn't seen

he sound making both Ethan

ced with sarcasm. "You couldn't

om shock to annoyance. "What

to Kim, who was now sitting up, clearly unbothered by the

It's not like you're using thi

ion back to Ethan. "I don't care what kind of arrangement you think we have,

ur home?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't kid yourself, Amy. You

f you think I'm going to stand by while you parade

kling like a live wire. Then, without another word, Amy turned on

front of her. She felt exhausted, not just physically, but emotionally. The

resolve began to take shape. She wouldn't let Ethan, or

mes, then so be it. But Am