Forced Marriage, Hidden Scandal

thoughts racing faster than the flashing city lights beyond the restaurant's windows. She had been thrust into this arrang

old, the way a person might look at a piece of art they didn't understand-observing, but

who wore his mask so well that it was nearly impossible to know what he truly felt. He was a man of control, of strategy, someone who knew exactly

of it. She had a role to play in t

"So, how long do we keep up this facade, Aidan?

f smiles, though it didn't reach his ey

e shot back, her eyes narrowin

ng unspoken, something powerful. "Perhaps," he replied, his voice low, ea

ling me this is about anything more tha

r wavered. "I

is it that I'm meant to gain from this?" She paused, her voice turning sharp again. "Bec

er of something-maybe surprise, maybe amusement

ightly. "Surprised? By what? A marriage o

with tension. But then, as if the moment had passed, he sighed, his voice drop

rp. "Then tell me why I'm he

f them showed it. As the plates were placed in front of them, Aidan remained silent, waiting for Elara to take the first bite. But she was no fo

eavier, more charged with the weight of their unspoken words. Elara final

he silence again. "I'm not just some prize to be handed over in

rprisingly calm. "I'm not asking you to be anythi

the others she had known. He wasn't crass or overtly rude. No, Aidan Wira was

to herself than to him. "I can see it in you

eft hers. "We all have our secrets, Elara.

but she didn't flinch. "And what abo

his voice barely above a whisper. "If you're expecting to uneart

ething else. A mere business arrangement had turned into a

e about the real reason they were here-the marriage, the alliance, the future that they were both being forced into. Instead, th

stars in the distance. But the reality inside the restaurant

ed, replaced by a gnawing feeling in her gut-a feeling that told her this marriage wasn't just ab

e caught Elara's eyes, and this time, there was no humor in his gaze.

ara," he said, his voice low, intense. "But I promis

ain-the unmistakable feeling that she was bei

ly on her chest. The city buzzed around her, its lights reflecting in the rearview mir

whatever happened next, she