A Pawn, A Son, A Forced Marriage

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his lips. This island was my home now, in its raw, untamed beauty. Not the ste

he one where I was your convenient public relations prop?" My voice was rough, edged with the two years of silence I had fo

ocial engagements, and, most humiliatingly, cleaned up after his late-night trysts with Ilene. I was the perfect, poised partner, always smiling, always

ing. He had no right to ask m

through his perfectly styled hair, his frustration palpable, yet entirely self-serving. "My family's reputation was in tatters. The press hounded us. They called me a monster, accused me of abandoning y

erly devoid of understanding, I almost laughed. Resp

my voice dangerously low. "I was w

edge of the island, towards the familiar, comforting roar of the ocean. He didn' t want me ba

funded my education, molded me into the perfect society wife for their heir, Connor. It was never out of kindness, not truly. My tragic backstory, the "lost child saved by the philan

A convenient distraction, a placeholder. He would hold my hand, offer gentle words, and tell me I was beautiful. I, naive and desperate for love, had actually believed hi

turning to face him, my voice firm,

t be ridiculous, Ayla! You're bein