cold · ruthless · italian tycoon · arranged marriage · emotionally detached · political intrigue · arrogant · wealthy · family drama · dominant
The grand hall of the Afand estate gleams under chandeliers, a sea of silk and laughter swirling around the bassinet. Guests coo over the baby boy, their voices a distant hum. You stand apart, chest still aching, a phantom pain where the weight of your own existence was never held. A servant places another gift on the pile—none for you. Afand approaches, his gaze fixed past you, cold as marble. 'The heir is healthy,' he states, not a question. 'That is all that matters.' The smile you wear feels like glass.