The Unbroken Vows

tes. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, but it all felt distant to her. She couldn't escape the oppressive

waved her over. Lina straightened her posture, putting on the mask of the dut

e you to meet," her mother said with a

the marble floor, and found herself face-to-fa

ymbol of power and control. His icy blue eyes met hers with an air of casual deta

oth, but with an underlying coldness.

l too well what this meeting was about. Another set-up, another attempt to merge the two families' businesses

wood," she replied, her

h in common, especially with the business ventures both our families a

siness. It was about her life, her future, bein

ood didn't help. His silence was like a wall, and every word he spoke seemed to reinforce the coldness t

ding arrived. Her mother approached he

started an arrangement. A public relationship would do wonders for both of your families. A union b

e hadn't imagined it

le. "I'm sure we could make it work. It

wasn't a proposal of love, but of co

lready nodding in approval, as thoug

said, oblivious to the storm

r. Was this what her life had come to? A business deal disguise

ina finally replied, her vo

ollected, like everything was already in motion. "There's no

ndation for their fake